Franklin Woodrow Cole, Jr

Franklin Woodrow Cole Jr, 66, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Fort Myers. He was born February 23, 1960, in Escondido, California.

Frank lived in Lebanon, Missouri throughout his early childhood, before moving to the Florida Keys (Sugarloaf Key) for his elementary years. In the Keys is where Frank found his love for the water and sunsets. Frank later moved to the Southwest Florida area where he graduated from North Fort Myers High School, in 1978. Frank then began his journey as a telephone man, digging ditches and running cable, before working for Centel, in his early 20's. In 1988, Frank became a father, welcoming his first son, Christopher. In April of 1992, he met the love of his life, Wendy, the two of them later went on to get married in 1995. Frank and Wendy then welcomed their two sons, Austin, in 1996, and Aaron, in 2003. Frank's boys were his pride and joy. Once the boys were old enough to play sports, he coached them all throughout their time in youth sports, with many people still calling him, "Coach Frank". Fast forward to September 10, 2012, Frank landed his dream job, with Arthrex, after spending nearly five years as a contractor for them, he was hired on full time as a Senior Communication Analyst. Frank would've worked until he was 80, if given the chance, he was passionate about his work in telecommunications, and loved his fellow co-workers. Before his passing, on August 1st, 2026, Frank became a grandfather, when his son Austin, and daughter-in-law Rya, welcomed their first child, Beau. To Frank, nothing was bigger than family, and he was ecstatic about becoming a grandparent. In his free time, Frank enjoyed spending time with his family, drag racing, fishing, boating, listening to old music, watching sunsets, playing pool, and, as you may know, enjoying a cold Heineken. Frank was always known as someone who could make anyone in the room laugh, a man whose loyalty was second to none, especially when it came to his beer, race cars, and Florida State football, but most importantly he will be remembered as a family man, a father, who was proud of the life he had built for his wife and children.

He is survived by his loving wife, Wendy; three children, Christopher Cole, Austin Cole (Rya), and Aaron Cole (Jaylin) all of Cape Coral; his mother, Lillian Cole of Sebring, Florida; three sisters, Deborah Boatwright of Sebring, Vicky Cole of Fort Myers, and Eunice Berry (Willie) of Troy, Alabama; one grandchild, Beau Cole; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by his father, Franklin Woodrow Cole Sr.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.