Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 1, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Joseph Robert Cole, Sr. “Bob” was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 16, 1937, to Kenerly O’Rear and Edith Mable Cole. His family moved to Savannah, Georgia and then to Newnan, Georgia. Bob graduated from Newnan High School in 1955 and Davidson College in 1959. At Davidson he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and editor of the Davidson literary magazine, “Scripts and Pranks”. After graduation from Davidson, he served in the U.S. Army as a platoon leader and executive officer in D Battery, 3^rd Missile Battalion, 65^th Artillery. Upon completing his military service in 1962, he took a job with what was then The Union Bag-Camp Paper Company, and the company moved him to Charlotte as a sales representative. Bob had met Joe Anne Smith in the summer of 1959, and for him, it was love at first sight. When Bob went into the army the two went their separate ways, but when he moved to Charlotte in 1962, they got together again and were married in 1963. He took a job with Package Products, a Charlotte company, and was sent to Atlanta as a sales representative. Along with their 3 children, the Coles moved back to Charlotte in 1970, when Bob took the first of several management positions at Package Products. After a successful run at Package Products, he resigned in 1980, took a second mortgage on his house, and started his own company manufacturing packaging materials in Charlotte. J.R. Cole Industries, Inc. grew substantially over the years and is recognized today as a quality producer of packaging for customers all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. Bob was always quick to acknowledge that the company’s success was due to the skills and dedication of its employees and loyalty of its customers in a very competitive environment.

Bob was a life-long Presbyterian and served as a Deacon and Elder in three Presbyterian churches, most recently Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian. He loved to read and had an extensive library on a variety of subjects. He was a long-time member of Charlotte Country Club and DeBordieu Club in Georgetown, SC. He cherished his time with Joe Anne and family at the beach overlooking the marsh and enjoying many beautiful sunsets.

Bob is survived by his wife Joe Anne; children Joseph Robert Cole, Jr. (Shannon), Justin Wright Cole (Michele) and Scott Cole Bryan (Russell). He was a fun and loving grandfather to 7 grandchildren Scotty Bryan, Pheriby Bryan, Marett Cole, Edie Cole, Lydia Cole, Jake Cole and Amelia Cole. Bob is also survived by his sister, Jane Scott of Aiken, SC and sister-in-law Becky Hyman of Mount Pleasant, SC. He is also survived by five nephews and nieces, all of whom he cherished.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to Dr. Jason Brancato for his expert and attentive care.

A service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday January 15, 2026, at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, 2929 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte NC 28209, followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bob may be made to Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, The Salvation Army or Children’s Hope Alliance, www.childrenshopealliance.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.