Reverend Christopher Cole, 60, went on to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in Pensacola, Florida.
Christopher was born July 24, 1964, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Richard and Janice (Albright) Cole.
The family moved to Bradenton, Florida in 1973. He graduated from Southeastern College, Lakeland, Florida in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and a minor in History. He then worked as a manager and training developer at Bentley’s Luggage and Leather Goods in several of their locations throughout the United States.
In 2004, Reverend Cole was awarded a Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and was ordained a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. While completing this degree, he attended Westfield House of Theological Studies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England at the University of Cambridge. While there, he met the love of his life, Melanie Miller. They were married May 3, 2008. In 2004,
Reverend Cole accepted a call to be Associate Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. In 2008, he was called to be the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pensacola, Florida, where he served for 16 years, preaching his final sermon on August 18, 2024, a mere two days before he entered the joy of his Lord and Savior in heaven.
Pastor Cole became a child of God at his baptism as an infant, and his entire life reflected his relationship with Jesus Christ. He felt a calling to the ministry at a tender age, and throughout his life he delighted in sharing his Lord with everyone he knew. He had the heart of a shepherd. Countless are the lives he touched, the seeds of faith he sowed, the hearts he comforted, the bedsides he stood by, the gravesides he enlightened with the Gospel.
Any who knew him knew they would always find compassion, gentleness, and words of wisdom. He was blessed with a fine mind and a command of Scripture, of sound theology, and of history; his preaching and teaching will be sorely missed. His sermons had one focus: Jesus Christ.
He was a devoted and loving husband, and a caring son, brother, uncle and nephew. He was a true friend. His interests included travel, history, music, motorcycling, singing with his beautiful baritone voice, and spending time with friends and family. Most of all, he loved living his life in the service of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Melanie; his parents Richard and Janice Cole; his brother Andrew Cole and wife Leah, niece Charlotte and nephew Wyatt; his brother-inlaw Mark Miller and wife Vita; his uncles David Albright and Don Cole, and his aunt Judy Cole.
A funeral service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 333 Commerce Street, Pensacola, Florida, 32507 on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00 am with Reverend Matthew T. Marks and Reverend Robert Rupp officiating.
A private graveside service is planned at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, Florida.
Memorial contributions may be made to assist students training to be pastors at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne. You can give to either “Student Aid” or the “Food and Clothing Co-op” at the following website: rlcs. cc/pastorcole These funds provide invaluable support to the next generation of LCMS pastors. Checks may be made out to “CTSFW”, with “Student Aid” or “Food and Clothing Coop” on the memo line, and mailed to Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Arrangements provided by Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home.
