Sylvester Cole passed away on July 17, 2012 after a long illness in Lompoc, California. Sylvester was born on October 16, 1931 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He spent his youth in Houston, Texas until joining the United States Air Force. He served four years. He and his wife Bea came to the Lompoc Valley in 1965 where he had a successful career at Vandenberg Air Force Base as a civil service employee. Sylvester began his career as a Flight Line Aircraft Mechanic. He was the Chief Housing Referral Officer for the military families for over 30 years and received numerous performance awards by the United States Air Force. He retired in 1995. Upon retirement, Sylvester remained active and became an entrepreneur as a private contractor, and served three years on the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury. Sylvester always considered his family to be his number one priority.

He was married and survived by his loving wife of over 57 years Bea, and his two children, Patrick Cole of New York and Lisa Cole of Palm Springs, California. He is also survived by his siblings, Mattie Toppen/Sister (Eddie Toppen, Spouse), Houston, TexasWalter Mae Hendry/Sister, Houston, TexasArthur Lee Cole/Brother ( Bernice Cole, Spouse) Houston, TexasDorothy Jean Grimes/Sister (Guy Grimes, Spouse) Houston, TexasSylvia Ann Gill/Sister (James Gill, Spouse) Houston, TexasHattie Marie Simon/Sister (T.L. Simon, Spouse) Houston, TexasJuanita Cole Towery/Sister (Glenn "Dasch" Towery, Spouse) Los Angeles, California

Funeral Services will be held at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Wednesday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends may pay their respects from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24th at the mortuary.