B obby Earl Cole, Jr. of Lincoln, Illinois, passed on to Glory, June 8, 2022.

He was born June 3, 1955 at Dr. Simmon's Clinic in Bay Springs, MS to Bobby E. Cole Sr. and Jacquline Phelps Cole.

After graduating from Bay Springs High School in 1975, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  During his 24 year career in the Air Force as a Rocket Mechanic, he was a highly decorated Senior NCO, serving in Texas, California, North Dakota and Florida.  Retiring in 1997 with the rank of Master Sergeant,  he served the public once again as Librarian in Valparaiso, Florida.  Moving to Bay Springs, Mississippi in 2005 he joined the Jasper County Sheriff Department.  Retiring, once again from public service, in 2013, and in 2014 he and his wife Linda moved to Lincoln, Illinois to be surrounded by grandchildren.

He was a member of Lincoln Christian Church, The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans member, and The Association of Air Force Missleers.  His passions were model building, space exploration, rockets and aircraft and his family.

Bobby is survived by his wife: Linda (McCombs) Cole of Lincoln; daughters: Destinie Cole of Destin, Florida; Elizabeth (Josh) Osborne, Meghan Lessen (David) Pickett, Laura Gutierrez and son: Dylan (Chelsea) Adkins; mother-in-law: Lavonne McCombs, all of Lincoln Illinois; fifteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild on the way;  sisters: Deborah Cole Wharton, Garden City, KS and Pattie Cole Townsend, Pelahatchie MS; he was blessed with many surviving aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service to be held at a later date in Lincoln, Illinois.

Visitation and Funeral will be held Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Colonial Chapel in Bay Springs, MS. Visitation at 1:00 pm with funeral service following at 3:00.  Military honors and  burial will be in Bethany Cemetery, Bay Springs, MS