Chester B. Cole

Greenville, SC

Chester Benny Cole, 75, of Greenville, SC, passed away on Sunday August 27, 2017. Born in Moweaqua, IL on September 9, 1941, he was the son of the late Cecil E. Cole and Mable B. Miller and the husband of Susan R. Cole. Ben graduated Douglas MacArthur High School in Decatur, IL in 1959. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1963, and graduated Harvard Business School with an MBA in finance in 1973.

He served in the US Navy from 1963-1983, eventually retiring as a Commander. After his retirement, Ben worked in the insurance and financial services field until 1994. He was a Dorchester County Councilman from 1991-1995, serving as chairman from 1993-1995. Ben was also the President and CEO of Charleston Regional Development Alliance from 1995-2000, and then became the Senior Vice President at Santee-Cooper until 2004. He was very active in the Rotary club, and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award three different times. He also received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Campbell in 1994. After moving to Pickens, SC in 2006, he joined the Pickens Rotary Club. Ben and his wife, Sue, were members of Pickens Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his wife, Ben is survived by his daughters, Debbie Kiriakides (Michael) and Lorrie Joy Cole (Hal), all of Greenville, SC; four granddaughters, Anastasia, Alexis, Arlena, and Ava, all of Greenville, SC.

The memorial service for Mr. Cole will be held at 11 o’clock on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Pickens Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1963, Annapolis, MD, or Pickens Presbyterian Church, Pickens, SC.