Cole's obituary
Coleman, affectionately known to most as "Cole" and to his godchildren as "Uncle CoComelon", passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 15, 2023. Cole was the oldest son of Jordan D. Ewell III and Nancy Coleman Miller, and was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 19, 1991.
After graduating from Springield Township High School in Erdenheim, PA in 2009, Cole went on to earn his BS degree in Marine and Environmental Science from Hampton University in 2014 where he was a Hampton Scholar, a member of the Dean's List, and captain of the university's lacrosse team.
Among his many loves was a love of nature, so it was no surprise that Cole pursued his dream and passion of protecting the environment by earning his MA degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida in 2019, where he served as a chemistry laboratory instructor. Inspired to combine his desire to preserve the health and beauty of the natural world with the capacity of the law, Cole pursued and earned his Juris Doctor from the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver in May of 2023 and was employed at the Denver-based law firm of Holland & Hart, LLP.
During his tenure at Sturm College of Law, Cole was a staff editor at DU's Water Law Review, Treasurer of the Black Law Students Association, and a member of the Sonia Sotomayor Inns of Court. He also worked as a student attorney for the Environmental Law Clinic where he represented and advocated for nonprofit organizations and communities of color impacted by environmental injustices.
Cole immersed himself in the bounty of Colorado's outdoors, enjoying an active lifestyle that included hiking, snowboarding, camping, golfing, working out and bouldering at his climbing gym. He also enjoyed traveling to explore natural beauty and his burgeoning interests. Recent excursions included trips to Colombia, South America and Istanbul, Turkey.
Born in Philadelphia to a family of avid sports enthusiasts, Cole was a passionate Eagles and Sixers fan. Any doubt about his love for these teams was erased whenever Cole shed his shirt, revealing a massive, winged eagle tattooed across the entire width of his chest. When the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Cole augmented his tattoo by adding the Vince Lombardi trophy to the clutches of the eagle's talons!
Cole was also a proud fourth generation member of his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He was initiated into the Eta Rho Chapter in St. Petersburg, FL and loved the friendship, camaraderie, and commitment to serve exemplified by his fraternity.
Cole loved and was loved deeply. His passion for life, boundless curiosity, kindness, and courage to pursue his dreams and interests shine as a beacon of light and model for living a fully engaged life, fueled by love.
For those that knew him, Cole was a bright light and a true joy to his family and friends. His smile was infectious and the joy he brought to the world was immeasurable. It is unfathomable to imagine life without him.
Cole is survived by his parents, Jordan D. Ewell III (Val) and Nancy Coleman Miller (Sid), his brother Clayton Harrison Ewell, his beloved dog Riley, and a host of family and friends.
We the Coleman, Ewell, Rowland and Miller families are grateful for your love and support as we prepare to celebrate Cole's life and create a lasting legacy in the form of memorial scholarships to be administered through the Eta Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL (Cole's home chapter), the Kappa Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA and the Rho Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA.