Obituary of Lt. Col. Warner B. Cole

Warner Booton Cole, Lt Colonel, US Army (Retired), 84, passed quietly in his sleep on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at his home in Pawleys Plantation, Pawleys Island, SC. Warner was born in Columbus, Ohio on January 28, 1938 to Allen A. Cole and Anne Booton Cole. The son of a physician, Warner grew up in Macon, Georgia and graduated from a local high school in 1956. He attended the Virginia Military Institute for two years, then transferred to the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in foreign language. He later obtained a Masters Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University. Warner entered the Army in 1961 as a Second Lieutenant. His military career included two tours to Viet Nam, tours in Germany, the Military Advisory Command, and miscellaneous duty assignments at the Inspector General’s Office, Ft. Monroe, Virginia. His many medals include a Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service medals with 4 Bronze Stars, Viet Nam Campaign Medals, Viet Nam Medal of Honor, Parachutist Badge, Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army and Overseas Service Ribbons, and Expert Badge with Rifle and Pistol Bars. Lt Colonel Cole retired at age 43 with 22 years of military service, then spent 18 years as Vice President of Arcata Graphics. He was President of the Kentucky Association for Children with Mental Disabilities, taught GED courses in Georgetown, SC, and was a supporter of Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans. Surviving Lt Colonel Cole is his loving wife of 38 years, Carol, six children, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Warner and Carol loved cruising and visiting military monuments in the Pacific and Europe, including a trip back to Viet Nam. Warner’s love of golf at his home course of Pawleys Plantation yielded a hole in one on the 7th hole. A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 5 PM on Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Pawleys Plantation Clubhouse. Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242