John Cole, Jr., also known as "Big John", "Rock", "Governor", and "Johnny Cole", fought a good fight and stayed his course. John went home to be with the Lord Thursday night, January 26, 2012 at Forsyth Medical Center.

He was born March 22, 1941 in Winston-Salem, NC to John Henderson and Johnsie Cole Wilson. John attended the local schools and graduated from Atkins High School Class of 1959. He was a heavy equipment operator for a period of 38 years retiring in 2007 from John H. Spainhour and Sons Grading Company in Rural Hall, NC. While employed, John helped build highways and bridges all over NC and VA including Forsyth, Stokes, and Surry Counties.
John was a member of Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church for 20 years. He served as an usher and proudly maintained order at his post.

John was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leon Cole, Sr.; and his daughter, Tevetta Cole Moser.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Frost Cole of the home; two sons, Patrick (April) Frost of Monterey, CA and John Ellis Frost of Omaha, NE; one daughter, Tamika Genell Frost; four sisters, Mary Ann Allred, Catherine (Jerry) Mitchell, Linda Cole, and Ayana (Arthur) Hardin all of W-S, NC; four grandchildren, Kiyah and Ja'Niyah of W-S, NC and Dylan and Brandon of Monterey, CA; many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and many many friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church with Reverend Johnny Ruff officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1pm on Wednesday at the Church.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to 8th Floor General and 8th Floor Palliative Care of Forsyth Medical Center for their services and excellent care during John's illness and passing.