Ottis Ercel Cole
Ottis Ercel Cole, 83, of Yucaipa, California, died peacefully at the Loma Linda VA Hospital on December 11, 2011, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born October 26, 1928, in Beebe, Arkansas to the late James A. and Mamie Clark Cole. Ottis was a wonderful husband to the late Betty C. Crawford Cole.
He is survived by two daughters; Cathy Cole-Zappia and husband, Jim Zappia of Yucaipa, California and Carol Cole Lehman of Bryant, Arkansas; two grandchildren, Brian Lehman and Janelle Young and husband, Carlton Joe Young of Bryant, Arkansas; one great-grandson, Bradley Cole Young of Bryant, Arkansas; two sisters, Roberta Stanley of Upper Jay, New York and Shirley Bumbleburg of Noblesville, Indiana; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Ottis was a Korean War veteran and served in the Air National Guard. He moved to California from Arkansas in 1964, where he worked at the Los Angeles Times as an accountant until his retirement. In 1987, he moved back to Bryant, Arkansas, where he worked for Regions Bank in Little Rock as an accountant. Ottis was a Christian man with a kind heart, who always helped others and his family. He volunteered at the Los Angeles Rescue Mission and Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene's soup kitchen and shelter in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a very hard working and loving person who will be very missed by his family and friends
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial donations be made to the Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene, F.L.A.M.E. Soup Kitchen and Shelter, 116 Pine St., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114. Phone 1-501-371-0912. Memorial service to be held in Arkansas at a later date. Ottis will be laid to rest with his wife at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, Calif.
Published December 16, 2011