Thurland Cole Jr. ’85

Thurland F. Cole  Jr., 56 of Belding passed away Friday November 29, 2019 at Spectrum health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. Thurland was born on December 28, 1962 in Belding the son of Thurland F. and Carol (Peterman) Cole Sr.

He graduated from Belding High School with the Class of 1981 and later graduated from Hope College with a BA Degree. He had worked for the Amway Corp. in Ada for 30 years retiring in 2017. Throughout his life Thurland enjoyed anything with sports, especially football and wrestling, playing both sports in high school. While at Hope College Thurland played defensive tackle excelling and being named to the MIAA Conference in 1982, 1983 and 1984 as well as being named All American in 1984. He had helped coach the Belding Youth Football Program for several years and enjoyed every minute of it. He liked  conversation with family and friends, especially sports talk. Thurland liked to deer hunt and had a big love of his family and friends. Many people over  the years counted on Thurland for advice and help, which he always willingly gave. He will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his mother  Carol and sister Laura. Thurland is loved and survived by his father; Thurland F. Cole Sr. (Linda Marsh) his brother Daniel Cole (Tracy Darby) all of Smyrna, his nieces and nephews; Daniel Cole Jr., Shaleah Rushford, Robert Roe, Joe Cole, Michelle Cole, his great nieces; Kylie and  Audrieanna, and best friends; Kem Beltz, Tony Brown and Ed Cowles.