Tony Cole, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully early on the morning of August 19, 2026. He spent his last hours surrounded by his children, former spouses, and his daughter-in-law.
Born John Tony Cole, in February 1962 in Morganton, NC he was preceded in death by his father, Reverend John Wesley Cole, his mother, Wilda Ruppe Cole, his older brother Tommy Cole, and brother-in-law Randy McRary.
He is survived by his three children, Addyson Cole (fiancé Will Jordan), Payton Cole (wife Debby Scheurich Cole), and Cameron Cole; former wives Julie (Schaefer) Murphy and Denise Sobieraj Cole; grandsons Cyrus and Casper Cole (who called him Poppy); sisters Marsha McRary and Mari-Lynn Sain (husband Arnold), and a host of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Tony graduated from Western Carolina University and went on to be a talented, Addy-award-winning graphic designer. He owned a successful creative agency, Cole Creative, for more than three decades, producing work for The Charlotte Motor Speedway, numerous NASCAR teams, and Charlotte businesses. Known fondly throughout his career as “The Print Guy”, he turned his love of design and classic movies into a thriving Etsy shop with that moniker.
An avid Carolina Panthers fan, his name is enshrined at the stadium as an original PSL owner.
He was an avid reader and loved football, Atlanta Braves baseball, Carolina beach music, country music, animals, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.