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Gregory L. Cole, age 48, son of Harold and Ellen Cole, died in the Albuquerque Veteran's Hospital on May 6, 2000 of cancer as the result of the effects of the Gulf War and Vietnam Conflict. Greg was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Albuquerque in 1959 as a young child. He graduated in 1969 from Del Norte HS and enlisted in the Navy in 1970, serving in Lakehurst, NJ, Pensacola, FL, Yokosuka, Japan, (2) tours in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. Chief Cole was a catapult operator, serving on the USS Ranger, USS Lexington and the USS Midway, sailing her home to decommissioning. Chief Cole served with the U.S. Navy Recruiting District until his retirement in June or 1996. He was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal, S.W. Asia Liberation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, AF Expedition Medal, National Defense Medal, Navy Expedition Medal, Good Conduct Medal w/4 stars, Sea Service Medal and Battle"E" Medal. Gregory is survived by his daughter, Michelle of Vineland, NJ; son, Gregory Joseph of Albuquerque; sister, Lana Johnson of Littleton, CO; and nephew, Kenneth Johnson of Austin, TX; sister, Merrie Alice Basham; and nephew, Brandon; niece, Kendall Basham of Nashville, TN; and aunts, uncles and cousins in Pennsylvania. Also left behind were his beloved dogs, Sandy and Pebbles. Greg was always a happy, humorous person, making everyone around him aware of his love of life. Per his request, Gregory chose no viewing and cremation. Memorial services for Chief Cole will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 12, 2000 at the Kirtland AFB Chapel (1950 2nd St., Bldg. 20107( (2nd and B Street). Services will be conducted by Chaplain (Captain) Kenyon with the eulogy given by APD Chaplain Raymond Loomis, a lifelong friend of Greg's. Burial will be at sea. Special thanks from his parents to the nurses and doctors at the SICU for his special care and love. Those wishing to attend, please use the Wyoming Gate to proceed to the Chapel. Cremation arrangements by Sunrise Society of New Mexico, 891-8200.
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