Roy H. "Spook" Cole
October 4, 1932 ~ February 27, 2023
Born in:
Ox Creek, North Carolina
Resided in:
Arden, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly TrailRoy H. “Spook” Cole, 90, of Arden, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, February 27, 2023.
Born October 4, 1932 in Ox Creek, North Carolina, he was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County. He was the husband of Lou Ellen (Riggins) Cole of Arden and the son of the late Roy Henley and Mary Cole Holcombe. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Clyde Holcombe, a sister, Doris Bartlett, and a son-in-law, Rodney Wilson.
Roy was a 1952 graduate of Biltmore High School and a US Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was a member of Biltmore Baptist Church for 83 years, where he was a former Chairman of the Deacons and a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent. Roy was the owner and operator of Biltmore Wheel and Alignment for over 60 years. He coached and sponsored numerous youth league sports in South Buncombe.
In addition to his wife of 67 years, he is survived by two daughters: Karen Ramsey and her husband Keith, and Sharon Wilson, all of Arden; one son, Roy J. Cole of Fletcher; four grandchildren: Jeremy Ramsey and his wife Katy of Fletcher; Amy Wilson-Wingate and her husband Kevin of Mills River, John Ramsey and his wife Megan of Roswell, GA, and Kaitlin Buford and her husband Dustin of Durham, NC; and five great-grandchildren: Jacob Wingate and Eli, Isaac, Nate, and Sophia Ramsey.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Pastor Kelvin Moseley officiating. Burial will follow in Tweeds Chapel Cemetery. Friends will be received from 1 to 2 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Services
For those who wish to pay their respects: March 4, 2023 1:00 pm - March 12, 2026 2:00 pm
Room: Chapel
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://grocefuneralhome.com
Funeral Service: March 4, 2023 2:00 pm - March 12, 2026 3:00 pm
Room: Chapel
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://grocefuneralhome.com
Graveside Service: March 4, 2023 3:15 pm
Tweeds Chapel Cemetery
1360 Cane Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
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Henry and I were so very sorry to learn of Roy’s passing. Such a godly, dedicated man. our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, asking that God will grant you
peace and strength during this hard, hard time.
Charles Price
To Lou Ellen, Karen, Sharon , Roy James, and family, I am saddened to learn of Spook’s death. He and your family have been special friends and neighbors for many years. Your family has been such favorable examples and in knowing you, others, including the Ward family have found greater joy in life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these challenging times. God bless!
Jeremy & family. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Love, Joe & Mona
Sad to hear .. but it sounds like he lived a good long life @90. We had a lot of fun while you were neighbors shooting hoops in the yard. Great memories of a short time .. a while ago! Treasure each moment .. and one day you’ll have a full chest! ✌🙏 Hello to the family!! <3
In memory a wonderful man and an awesome family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the coming weeks.
Chuck and Deana Treece Macdonald
Mrs. Cole, Karen, Sharon, Roy, and family, I am deeply saddened and sorry for your loss. Please know that I am a much better man and father from having Spook and your entire family as role models. Spook’s legacy will live on as I have shared many of his stories, countless sayings, and tales of our epic basketball battles up on Holly Hill with my family and friends. His work ethic, competitiveness, and compassion were testaments to his character. We pray that each of you finds comfort knowing that Spook is resting his Tar Heels peacefully in heaven…God bless!
So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Ms. Lou Ellen and family,
Our hearts break for you and your loss, but we rejoice knowing Spook is with our Heavenly Father! There are so many memories that flood our minds of precious stories of you two and my folks.
Sending healing prayers and comfort to you and your family.
Love,
Scott and Lynne Guge
Sharon, so sorry to hear of your loss.
Sharon, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Praying for you and your family. Know that God loves you and can restore your spirits, give you peace, and strengthen you during this difficult time.
Great Man, great Family. Great athlete! Wonderful memories……He played a better 3rd base in his 50’s than most college players could back in the day……God Bless the Cole Family
Great man. First met him when he fixed my service van. Then met him at church. He lived his faith. Always so kind to me. Love and Prayers to the family. Byron and Sherri Watkins
Sharon, I’m so sorry for your loss. Katie and I have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon,
My condolences! Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.
I met Spook in the early 80’s at Biltmore Baptist. I was a new Christian at the time and had the pleasure of being in his Sunday School class for several years. Needless to say he set a good example for me to follow. We connected right off and remained good friends forever. We served on committees at church,played softball on Tuesdays and Thursdays and basketball on Monday nights.He helped Kathy and me early in our automotive business.He would refer customers to us for several years. Spook has won the race. Lou Ellen and family our prayers go out to you and we want you to know that this man had a positive impact on our life’s. God bless you.
Our family has known “Spook” for almost 61 years. He was a fine man and in fact, coached both of my sons in little league baseball. He will be missed, but we know he is in a better place.
It was a honor and privilege to have known Mr Cole….Mr. &Mrs Cole always put a smile on my face…Prayers to all
It was a honor and privilege to have known Mr Cole….Mr. &Mrs Cole always put a smile on my face…Prayers to all…Alleda
My deepest sympathy. Mr. Cole has been a blessing to me and my family and I will always cherish my memories of him. Prayers to all…. Deborah
I am so sorry to hear aout Spook passing away .I used to live next door to his sister Doris and Mrs.Holcombe what a blessing it was to have known this family .Spook and I could talk for hours he was a good man and an honest man .God bless all of the family and give you strength you need to go thru this hard time.Praying for all of you.
Spook was a Biltmore basketball icon for decades. He was the leader and player-coach of so many in his years of participating in the game he loved. And, just playing was only a part of his ministry to all of us – he made us better players, and even more importantly, better persons.
We love you and appreciate all you did and all you were, Spook, may you rest in Peace. Dick Allen
I will always remember Roy as very kind to all he came in contact with. His Christian faith and his ability to play basketball and softball so very well, we’re just a few things about this wonderful man that I liked so much. Heaven has gained a real jewel !!