Eugene 'Gene' Dwight Cole , Jr. , 78, of Culver, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023.

Gene was born on December 24, 1944 to Doris Alter, née Smith, and Eugene D. Cole Senior in Marion, Indiana. After Gene graduated from Fairmount High School in 1964 he went on to serve in the US Army at Fort Knox.

After his service, Gene joined Inland Steel, kickstarting a 30 year career in transportation. He also fulfilled his dream of becoming a farmer, simultaneously farming more than 600 acres in addition his full time employment at Inland Steel. While running his own farm, he grew corn, soybeans, and sometimes mint, as well as raising pigs and cattle.

Gene retired (sort of) and spent his days enjoying second careers driving RVs and trucks across the country, and spending time with his beloved second wife Teri Lee, who proceeded him in death and whom he missed terribly.

Gene was an incredibly hard working, loving father and Papaw. The only thing he loved more than the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts was spending time with his family. He was known to appear at every sporting event, recital, or awards ceremony- often arriving hours early. His love and presence was felt by all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His Sunday dinners with Benjamin were the highlight of his week.

Gene is survived by his step mother Wanda Cole, his sisters Ruth Smith and Vicki Harrell, both of Bainbridge, Ga, Mary Stroup of Miramar Fl., and Shirley Chapel of Jonesboro, In. Gene was predeceased by his father Eugene Cole, Sr., mother Doris Alter, his brother David Cole and his first wife Margie Cole, née Parrish, with whom he raised his surviving children, Trela Good, of Marion, Michelle Cole of Terre Haute, John Cole (Amanda) of Knox, and Tonya (Phillip) Combs, of Indianapolis. He is also survived by his Step Children Daniel (Zulema) Lee, South Bend, Melissa Craig-Lee, Culver, Karen Lee, Mishawaka, Anna Kehoe, Ft. Myers, Fl, Greg (Shea) Lee, Culver, Mary (Jef) Gates, South Bend, Lily (David) Lee Arzola, Culver, Joseph Lee, Mishawaka, and Samantha (David) Blosser, Indianapolis, and grandchildren - Cecilie and Finnely Combs, Lukas and Lamar Cole, Ariel and Dougie Good, David Carlos, Deni Garcia, Irasema Garcia, Jacob Lee, Zane Lee, Marshall Anderson, Marcellus Anderson, Marquez Anderson, Joshua Barnes, Noah Barnes, Savannah Barnes, Benjamin Lee, Leighton Lee, Harper Kehoe, Madelyn Grace, Lucille, Van and Lee, and Great grandchildren Lucas, Peyton, Paislee and Marshall Jr., Noah Garcia, Dani Garcia, and many, many honorary grandchildren.

Viewing will be held at Odom Funeral Home May 20 from 1:00 pm-3:15 pm. Memorial services will begin at 3:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you arrive early at your next family event, cheer on the Indianapolis Colts this season, and consider donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital, an organization Gene felt strongly about.

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