Phillip Harvey Cole

On Wednesday, July 31, Phil Cole joined his family in Heaven. Phil was born in Casper in December of 1939. He spent his younger years going to school in North Casper and enjoying time on Casper Mountain with his family. When he was 18, Phil joined the Navy and began his career in the Service spending time on the USS Orleck DD8861, USS Gudgeon SS567, USS Swordfish SS579, USS Stonewall Jackson USBN 634 and USS Pollack SSN 603 retiring in 1978.

In October 1964, he met and married Masako Suzuki at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. This year would have been their 60th wedding anniversary. After retiring from the Navy, Phil moved back to Casper. He enrolled in a diesel mechanic course and after graduation worked on the fleet for a local drilling company for a short time. Phil enjoyed tinkering with anything that had an engine and built a Willy’s Jeep from the ground up as well as restoring a 1963 Ford Country Sedan. He also enjoyed rock cutting/polishing, anything to do with Submariners and was in the honor guard for many a vet’s funeral. During his life he made many life-long friends in Casper, Japan and beyond. 

Phil is survived by his wife Masako, nephew Patrick, niece Carol (Gary) Wellong, great niece Emily Cole and sister-in-law Judi Cole. Phil was predeceased by his father Thomas Orson Cole, his mother Lillis “Billie” Cole, his sister Avis Lynn Cole and his brother Thomas Gary Cole. I take this quote from friends on Facebook: Sailor, Rest your Oars………We have the watch. 

A service of Military Honors will be held Thursday August 8, 2024 at 1:30 PM at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery.