Foster Marshal Cole, Sr.

Abridged Obituary (for the paper) for Mr. Foster Marshall Cole, Sr.

The extraordinary journey of Foster Marshall Cole, Sr. began on January 20, 1937 in Lonoke, Arkansas. He was the youngest of thirteen children born to James Edward, Sr. and Lue Neal Walton Cole. He was known by many names throughout his life. Some called him “Pete”, others called him “Cole”, and of course he was also the legendary “Mr. Cole”. Most importantly though, he was called Pops, Dad, Grandpa, Husband, and friend.

Foster grew up in Lonoke and moved to California in 1965. He attended California Trade Tech College in Los Angeles, where he majored in Machine Shop and Blue Print Reading. He loved working with his hands and spent the majority of his life working in this field. He spent over 15 years at Becton Dickinson Labware, and 19 years at Pressel Molds, Inc., before ultimately retiring at Falcon Plastics after many years.

A young Foster married Roberta Mae, and to that union two sons were born, Foster Cole, Jr. and Christopher Cole. They remained married until her passing in 1991. Later, he met and married Ora Lee Washington and they were married on January 22, 1994. And from that union, he gained daughter Lilith, and granddaughter Amber, who he loved and treated as his own. Foster and Ora remained married until her passing in September 2011. After her death, he remained in Oxnard, CA for a few years and then moved back to Lonoke where he resided until his passing.

Foster Marshall Cole, Sr. ended his earthly walk on March 3, 2026.

He was known for his great kindness to others, and his helpful nature, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Foster was preceded in death by his parents James Edward, Sr. and Lue Neal Walton Cole, and siblings, Walter Cole, Louis Cole, Sally Francis Yeargin, Bessie Mae Sims, James Edward Cole, Jr., Lula Cole, William F. Cole, Virginia C. Campbell, Luneal Pruitt, and Robert R. Cole.

He is survived by his brother, Adolphus Warren and sister Lucy Cole Muldrew, both of California. Two sons, Foster Cole, Jr. of Oregon and Christopher Cole of Las Vegas. A daughter, Dr. Lilith Williams of Los Angeles. 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, along with a whole host of nephews, nieces, cousins and special friends.