Psgt. Ret. James Coles

James Coles,87, the oldest of three children, born January 24, 1931 in Suffolk, Virginia to McKinley Coles and Cally Copeland Coles passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents and both sisters. James, a devoted and loving husband is survived by his supportive wife of 57 years Lela Ruth Coles, children, Cathie Williams and Gregory Coles (Le’Dale)of San Antonio, Mildred Denise Thompson of Norristown, P.A., and James Coles Jr. of Allentown, P.A., granddaughters, Traycie Williams and Quiana Coles of San Antonio, and four great-grandchildren. 

James joined the U.S. Army February 7, 1948 and earned a Purple Heart while serving our country during the Korean War. During his 20 years and 5 months of service, he received tank training in Germany, and he was a paratrooper with the 82nd, 11th, and the 511th airborne infantry. He was assigned to installations such as Ft. Dix, Ft. Bragg, Ft. Benning, Ft. Meade, Ft. Campbell, Schofield Barracks, and retired as a Platoon Sergeant July 1st, 1968 from Ft. Polk, Louisiana.

Following his military service, James and his family decided to move to their retirement home in San Antonio where he worked as a Bexar County Sheriff Deputy and in 1972 started at United Parcel Service where he was one of the first tractor trailer drivers at the San Antonio hub. After working his way up to Feeder supervisor 14 years later and at the age of 55, James decided to retire for good and enjoy life with his wife Lela becoming RVers and casting a line across the United States. His favorite place to fish was the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi.

James was a member of the 8am Protestant service at the Fort Sam Main Post Chapel and a supportive member of the VFW Post 14000. 

James Coles enjoyed making everyone laugh and all who knew and loved him will dearly miss him.