Ralph Cole

“I Didn’t Do Nothin’!”

The title of this story is perhaps the most famous quote from Ralph D Cole during his 91 years. It is, however, the furthest thing from the truth.

The amazing Ralph Devereaux Cole was born October 5, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to George and Sylvia Cole. The middle child of five, Ralph was born into a family of entertainers, a legacy he would carry on in his own life and pass on to his children and grand children. His father George Sr. had performed on the Vaudevillian stage of London, England as “Old King Cole”, and Ralph inherited his father’s sense of humor and musical ability. A classic family story goes as follows, one night at dinner Sylvia asked George Sr. to “pass the cheese”. He asked “Do you want it airmail or express?” Her answer is unknown, but the cheese was thrown across the table and landed with a smack on her chest. This is just one example of the antics that young Ralph grew up around, and one that shaped his stellar sense of humor.

Ralph was very close with his siblings, remaining life-long friends with all of them and their spouses. They spent a lot of their childhood at the Blanchard’s Farm, a favorite place of Ralph’s, and a place he would take his own children. He and his sister Audrey would often play duets on the piano, and he had many adventures and mishaps with his brothers George, Jack, and Doe. He was a beloved uncle to countless nieces and nephews.

After high school Ralph worked at Cadillac Motors where he met the infamous Les Foot, who would introduce him to the love of his life, Miss Eva Dernberger. Ralph and Eva went on a blind date and that was all she wrote! It was love at first sight!

Ralph went into the service during WWII as the assistant to the head of the Red Cross. While serving he received medals for “keeping his typewriter out of the mud” or so he always told us. While there he kept in contact with Eva, sending her love letters from Paris (which he still had tucked away in a box at their house)! When he returned home they were married August 13, 1945 in a small ceremony with his brother Doe and sister-in-law Shirley in attendance, at the court house.

Ralph and Eva were the kind of couple that all couples want to be. Their relationship should be the archetype for all relationships. They were best friends that loved and respected each other for almost 52 years. Always believing in each other’s dreams and ambitions, they worked together to raise a family and to build their legacy. Eva was an amazing seamstress and painter; Ralph a talented pianist and entertainer. They never stopped courting. They were affectionate and thoughtful towards each other, danced and sang together, and made each other laugh. Their romance never ended. Ralph was a grade “A” man, Eva a grade “A” woman. They fit together perfectly and had a storybook tale of love that led to happily ever after.

In 1947 Ralph and Eva welcomed their first child, Ralph Jr. Soon after, they had their first daughter, Debbie, in 1950. And followed that up with their youngest, Leslie, in 1954. Having Ralph and Eva for parents was “like being raised by Ward and June Cleaver in Disneyland”. The Coles lived in Clawson, MI. for 15 years. During that time Ralph played in a dance band with Gitzy Gilliam, who would help Ralph to get a job with Consumer’s Power, where he worked for 37 years. The family moved to Portage, MI after Consumer’s Power transferred him to Kalamazoo in 1962. Once settled in Portage the Cole Clan began to grow! Ralph leaves behind 3 children, 11 grand kids, 17 great grand kids (with one on the way), and 2 great-great grandkids! He was extremely proud that he and Eva were responsible for so many Cole’s in the world, and would often reference the number of grandkids he had just for good measure.

He was an outstanding father, grandfather, and friend. He loved to have fun and wanted everyone around him to join in. His family and friends loved his piano playing, which was ever present at all gatherings. As he played his large family could be found crammed in the same room dancing, singing along, and smiling.

Ralph, also known as “Cozy Cole” “Uncle Flakey” and “Ralphie”, was a true kid at heart. Always a prankster and the king of silliness, he loved to laugh and to make others laugh with an extensive arsenal of wigs, glasses, masks, and hats. Not to mention whistles, squeakers, and gags.

As a grandpa he spent countless hours playing cards, ping pong, going on walks in the woods, or working in the woodshop with the grandkids. They all adored him, as anyone who knew him did.

Ralph loved car racing and attended the Indy 500 many times in his life, the first time in 1947! He also enjoyed watching races at home. You could usually find Ralph in his easy chair on Sunday afternoons watching the race on television. He was an avid cyclist, and was riding his bike up until he was 83 years old. Sometimes riding 26 miles a shot! He also enjoyed cross country skiing in the woods behind his house.

One of Ralph’s favorite places in the world was Ralph II’s cabin on Steenburg Lake in Canada. Ralph Sr. loved spending time at the cabin with his family, playing cards, watching old movies, and taking boat rides on the lake. You could find him relaxing in the sun on the deck reading or having cocktails. The days he spent at the cabin were some of the happiest of his life.

Ralph loved a great party. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave. He loved to be surrounded by family and friends. The Cole house was a gathering place for everyone, young and old, a happy laughing crowd playing ping pong, music, and cards. Their annual leaf parties were legendary and remembered fondly by everyone.

At age 87, Ralph was still volunteering at The Sheppard’s Center, driving “the old people” to their doctors appointments (most of them were younger than Ralph). Even at 87, he thought himself a younger man. He had an aura about him that was undeniable. When he entered a room people were drawn to him. Those blue eyes and that smile had even young ladies swooning until the end. Ralph loved life and lived it with enthusiasm. He traveled, he played music, he loved his family and friends fiercely, and he was a good person. Without question, that is his greatest legacy.