Harold Herbert Coles, age 85 of Chandler, AZ, died Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
Born on May 22, 1936 in the tiny village of Mill Town, NJ, now Avis Mill, he was the son of Harold Ray and Emma (Roork) Coles. At the age of three, his family moved to a farm in Aldine, NJ. In 1938, brother Walter was born, in 1940, sister Henrietta was born, and in 1942, sister Cora Mae was born.
In 1951, Harold graduated from Elmer Elementary School and entered Bridgeton High School. He transferred to Woodstown High School the following year and graduated in 1955. He graduated from Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington with a degree in business in 1957. He then worked at Hercules Powder Company in Wilmington.
In 1958, Harold was appointed to the ministry of the Methodist churches and served for nine years. That year, he met the girl of his dreams, Joan Procaccino, and in July 1961, they were married.
In 1962, he started teaching in the Pilesgrove Township Elementary School District (Woodstown) thus leading him to a career of teaching. In 1958, he entered Eastern Baptist College in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania for his freshman year and then transferred to Glassboro State College (now known as Rowan University) in New Jersey to work towards his education. His junior and senior years, he transferred to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina and from there graduated in 1968 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.
A month after graduating from Bob Jones University, he took a job teaching the sixth grade at the Bridgeton Christian School in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Later that year, he accepted a position as principal/teacher and held that position for 16 years.
After 16 years at BCS, he resigned and took a 5th grade teaching position in Myerstown, Pennsylvania at the Grace Christian School. In 1993, Grace Christian School closed due to the lack of finances and enrollment; and in August of 1993, he moved to Vineland, New Jersey and accepted a teaching position at Cumberland Christian School teaching fifth grade, a position that he held until 2011, when he semi-retired and worked with students who had special needs at that same school.
In 2013, at the age of 74, he retired from teaching and was honored by the Association of Christian Schools International for his 48 years of teaching in Christian schools with a plaque and trophy. In November 2013, the love of his life passed away, having suffered with MS for over 40 years.
He stayed in NJ until February of 2019 at which time he entered the hospital for 3 months with kidney failure, among other ailments. In May of 2019, his family packed up his apartment and moved him to Chandler, Arizona to live with one of his daughters.
His life passions were taking care of his wife who suffered with a debilitating disease and teaching his students. He loved to play the organ and sing. His teaching ministry was one of great love for his students and 48 years of a fulfilling ministry. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Harold is survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Kimberly Ann Coles-Smith & Ronald II, Beth Ellen Coles-Melvin & Chris, Shelly Lynn Coles-Ellis & Tim, and Tami Jean Coles-Wermager & Jason; his grandchildren, Ronald “Buddy” Smith III & wife Casey, Emma Smith-Davis & husband Joe, David Smith & wife Allison, Michael Melvin & wife Mia, Hanna Melvin, Noah Melvin, Karl Fritz & wife Desiree, Matthew Ellis & wife Brittany, Kourtney Clarke & husband Todd, Tyler Ellis, Mikayla Ellis, Stacia Wermager, Jared Wermager; his great-grandchildren, Kaleb Fritz, Kiersten Fritz, Greyson Clarke, Emerie “Emmie” Clarke, Wyatt Ellis, Rhett Ellis, Ronald “Ford” Smith IV, Callen Smith, Nathan Davis, and Caleb Davis; and his brother, Walter. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Joan, his sisters, Henrietta and CoraMae, and grandson, Blake Wermager.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Friday, May 13th in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, 102 S. Main St., Woodstown. A memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, May 14th in the First Baptist Church, 209 Broad St., Elmer. Burial will be private in Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Elmer. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to “Teen Camp Fund” c/o First Baptist Church Elmer, 209 Broad St., Elmer, NJ 08318. Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.