Robert was born September 15, 1923, in Tampa, Florida. He loved to golf, he was a deacon at First Baptist Church of College Hill, one of the founders of Tampa Family Health Centers, and The Sheriffs Black Advisory Council. He was also well known to the community for his barbershop businesses throughout Tampa Bay and Tampa International Airport. He was a businessman, mentor, and friend to many young men and encouraged them to follow their dreams.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Slyvester Cole, and Gladys Green Cole; wife, Madelyne Cole; sons, Robert "Bobby" Cole Jr., and James Cole; grandchildren, Valerie Cole, and Zeppelin Cole; brother, Clarence Cole; sister, Alyce Genevieve Von Lockette, and brother, Willie "Billy" Cole.

He leaves to cherish his memories children, Jacqueline "Blossom" Walker (Sonya) and Anthony J. Cole, Sr. (Janice); grandchildren, Reco Cole, Sr., Lisa Cole, Daryle Cole, Todd Cole, Sr., Kimberly Young, James E. Cole, Allison Anderson, Anthony Cole (Tiffanie), Antoinette Kolbe (Tom), Antwan Demetrius Cole (Shayla), Tamika Cole, Raymond Cole (Chasity), and Nina Brown (Tim); great grandchildren, Reco Cole, Jr. (Reco III and Taj Cole), Rashad Cole, Terrance Cole (Mikayla, Noba, and Kharri), Aundrea Green, Todd Cole, Jr. (Xylan and Naomi), Russell Cole, Raphael Cole, Natalia Cole, Bryant Williams, Ashlie Lopez (John Miguel), Jordan Cole, Anthony Cole III (Khai), Auria Cole, James Christian Cole, Jaylin Cole, Lenox Kolbe, Donovan Kolbe, Zuri Cole, Imani Cole, Euprasia Cole (Majesty), Alondra Cole (Areon, Donny, Mark and Adai), Jashon Reid, Nyana Brown, Jammece House, Bryan Nelson and Alyce Cole; sisters; Thelma Acosta and Gladys Lang; nieces, Angela Lang Ward and Joan "Clarice" Allen; nephews, Mack "Booker" Hill (Dale), Anthony Acosta (Jackie), Devario Acosta, Anthony Cole, Ansel Cole, Ronald Lang (Beaulah) Marlott Lang (Sheree) and John Cole; a host of cousins and other family members, a host of friends and other relatives that have loved and supported and cherished him over the years. There are just too many to name and we would not want to omit anyone.

Visitation
Friday, August 11, 2023
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
Saturday, August 12, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
First Baptist Church of College Hill
3838 N 29th St
Tampa, FL 33610