Andrew Cole's Place
Christopher John Cole - Son, Brother, Father, Friend
October 28, 1968 - October 19, 2010
Chris Cole Birth Announcement
Mother Vee: I'm starting with a quote that I found in the paper one morning. I cut it out and put it in my daily calendar.
"A loss is a heart ache no one can heal. And love is a memory no one can steal."
Now here are some memories of my love for my son, Christopher John Cole.
Chris was my fifth and last child. He was born on October 28, 1968. What a joy! Our family had a new baby boy. His brother Tony and his sisters Carla Sue, Sally Lou, and Dianna were overjoyed. His father John and I were very happy and proud of our new son.
From the beginning Chris was special. He was spoiled by his big brother and three sisters. When he was less than one week Chris was a guest at Whittaker Elementary School as the Show and Tell for the kids' classes.
At five years old Chris went to Kindergarten at Whittaker, then first and second grade at Whittaker. By the time he reached third grade we had moved to the Bethel area. I had married a man named Al Bundrant and he became Chris' stepdad. This worked out just fine, since the two fathers got along. Both of them had love for Chris.
This is a funny story about Chris introducing his family at a Cub Scout event. Chris had said, "This is my mom, Vee," he stopped and looked at us then said "and these are my two dads."
Chris went on into Shasta Middle School then into Willamette High School. He took a year off and went to Marist High School where he swam on the team and learned to play water polo. He was always active physically. He had also swam on Eugene's Swim Team. Boy, do I remember taking him to swim practices by 5:00 a.m.
Andrew and Chris Balloon Ride - October 2, 2010
Chris Cole Balloon Ride Certificate - October 2, 2010
Hello friends and family, as you all know I am the son of Christopher John Cole. He was a strong willed, very caring man. My father was one of the most respectable men that I know.
I've looked up to him my entire life, but mainly he taught me many different life lessons such as how to be a kind-hearted genuine person. Work hard and support your family. My dad was the greatest person I have ever met and ever will.
Chris worked his guts out every single day until he was diagnosed with ALS. The hardest working man I knew respected by all of his customers and loved by everyone around him.
He was the best dad ever and someone I could go to that I knew I could trust. It makes me sad to have seen him go, but at the same time I am pleased to have shared this thing called life with such an amazing man.
I love you dad,
Andrew.
Play this video to hear Perhaps Love by John Denver
Perhaps love is like a resting place
A shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort
It is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble
When you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home
Perhaps love is like a window
Perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer
It wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself
And don't know what to do
The memory of love will see you through
Oh, Love to some is like a cloud
To some as strong as steel
For some a way of living
For some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on
And some say letting go
And some say love is everything
And some say they don't know
Perhaps love is like the ocean
Full of conflict, full of change
Like a fire when it's cold outside
Thunder when it rains
If I should live forever
And all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you
And some say love is holding on
And some say letting go
And some say love is everything
Some say they don't know
Perhaps love is like the Mountain
Full of conflict, full of change
Like a fire when it's cold outside
Or thunder when it rains
If I should live forever
And all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you
He started gymnastics classes. Chris was very strong and coordinated; he would play around our home walking on his hands. A guy who lived by us was a gymnastics coach and he had asked if Chris would like to be on a team. Away we went and Chris did a few years of gymnastics. It was a lot of meets and travelling. He always did well.
His next sport was BMX racing. He loved the excitement. Chris did this for a few years; he won a lot and lost a lot but always loved doing it. He was a good sport.
He graduated at Willamette High School in 1987. This was when he started to learn about landscaping and yard maintenance. He worked for Mike Whiddett who ran a business called "Rose Scapes". He also worked for Dan Reese who ran a business called "Dan Reese Specialties".
Chris then started his own business; he slowly bought his own equipment and built up a cliental. Chris did this for twenty years.
In 1993 on January 31, Chris became a dad. He loved his son, Andrew, with all of his heart. He was a very hands-on dad who knew all about diapers, bottle feeding, etc. Andrew and his dad Chris shared lots and lots of love and fun times. They went camping, swimming, skiing, to the movies.
Unfortunately in February of 2007 Chris was admitted to McKenzie Willamette Hospital. He was then transferred to Sacred Heart Hospital, then onto OHSU for brain surgery. He had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. At OHSU, the doctor told me that only 25% of the people who have what your son has survive.
But he did live! He was in OHSU for a month, and when he came home he continued to get stronger. He took part in Vocational Rehabilitation. He was able to start working slowly, and worked at a nursery at the McKenzie Willamette Blooms River. Chris was at home in the beautiful setting. The people saw his skills and they hired him to work full time. Chris was also to go back to working for some of his old customers who were overjoyed to have him back.
Unfortunately again, this was not going to last. Chris would get tired easily and noticed that his speech was not clear. It was also difficult for him to eat and swallow. We went back to the doctors and they diagnosed Chris with ALS.
The last few years of Chris' life were a struggle. ALS is a cruel disease. Chris had a lot of courage. He drove, worked, walked, and used his hands as long as he was able to. He loved life. Once he was in the wheel chair Chris used it to the fullest advantage. He would do cookies out in front of his house. Sometimes he would escape down the street. Steve or Becky, his caregivers, would try and chase after him. At times he would go down a side street and hide. He thought it was very funny that they had to hunt him down. Chris was a man of great courage; he fought the battle with ALS as long as he could. He knew when it was his time to go.
I know we all loved him in our own ways, and that's why I want you to listen to this song by John Denver "Perhaps Love". I listened to it numerous times in my car thinking of Chris and how love means so many things to each one of us. I am sure Chris loved each one of you.
Chris was filled with love and he expressed it through the years to his many friends and family. Let's listen to "Perhaps Love" and think of how our love was a part of Chris' life.
A sister is a special kind of friend.
Love, courage, dedication, and devotion; those are just some of the words to describe my mothers incredible love for her son. Chris was so lucky to have her by his side during this very frightening part of his life.
I'm sure she made his last days as comfortable as possible. I'm certain that Chris was grateful for her love and world.
Thanks mom, thanks .. Carla