Jeffery Rex Cole

Jeffery Rex Cole, 59, of Asheville, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, February 13, 2026.

A native of Asheville, Jeffery was born on May 29, 1966. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy before dedicating his career to the care of others. After earning his associate’s degree, he served as both an EMT and a Respiratory Therapist, most recently working with Mission Health in McDowell County. His commitment to his community extended into his personal time as a devoted volunteer firefighter with the West Buncombe Fire Department. He was also an EMT instructor at AB Technical College.

Jeffery’s life journey took him to Oakland, CA, Minneapolis, MN, and Havelock, NC, but his heart was always in the great outdoors. He was an avid outdoorsman who found peace and joy while hunting, fishing, and hiking the trails of Western and coastal North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rex Gerald Cole, in 2006.

Jeffery is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Karen Uhde Cole; his two sons, Joshua Cole of Raleigh, NC, and Tyler Cole of Jacksonville, NC; and his cherished grandchild, Beyziad Suntay of Jacksonville, NC.

A memorial service to celebrate Jeffery’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, with Rev. Gary Rogers officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation at donate.bbrfoundation.org.

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