Thomas Cole was born in New York.
He was a college trained Civil Engineer and a US Marine.
He saw himself as the guardian of Union cemetery, four forgotten acres on the southern edge of downtown. A cemetery that contains the final resting place for free slaves and their descendents – bankers and preachers, educators and war veterans. People who are a part of the history of Greensboro.
He lived beside the cemetery in a campsite made up of tarps, and many different objects. Including a cross, a small American flag and many found objects such as bikes. He dug a ditch that funneled water to keep his sleeping area dry.
For years, he had been the guardian of the Union Cemetery. He cleaned it up, kept away vagrants and loiterers and erected an American flag in the cemetery.
On the bottom of the flag, Cole wrote: "Protected by the USMC.''
He died, alone in his campsite, next to the cemetery he watched over for 8 years.
Tom was a character known around downtown Greensboro. People tried to get him off the street and out of the cold, but he chose not to. A local company near his campsite served as a defacto office for him. His checks were sent there and his money was safe there. Many poeple knew him and welcomed his presence and smile. He made a lot of people smile and he is already missed.
He is survived by 7 children and 3 ex-wives.
Funeral services and Burial was September 24, 2013. The funeral procession was escorted by the Patriot Guard.
He was a college trained Civil Engineer and a US Marine.
He saw himself as the guardian of Union cemetery, four forgotten acres on the southern edge of downtown. A cemetery that contains the final resting place for free slaves and their descendents – bankers and preachers, educators and war veterans. People who are a part of the history of Greensboro.
He lived beside the cemetery in a campsite made up of tarps, and many different objects. Including a cross, a small American flag and many found objects such as bikes. He dug a ditch that funneled water to keep his sleeping area dry.
For years, he had been the guardian of the Union Cemetery. He cleaned it up, kept away vagrants and loiterers and erected an American flag in the cemetery.
On the bottom of the flag, Cole wrote: "Protected by the USMC.''
He died, alone in his campsite, next to the cemetery he watched over for 8 years.
Tom was a character known around downtown Greensboro. People tried to get him off the street and out of the cold, but he chose not to. A local company near his campsite served as a defacto office for him. His checks were sent there and his money was safe there. Many poeple knew him and welcomed his presence and smile. He made a lot of people smile and he is already missed.
He is survived by 7 children and 3 ex-wives.
Funeral services and Burial was September 24, 2013. The funeral procession was escorted by the Patriot Guard.
Thomas Cole was born in New York.
He was a college trained Civil Engineer and a US Marine.
He saw himself as the guardian of Union cemetery, four forgotten acres on the southern edge of downtown. A cemetery that contains the final resting place for free slaves and their descendents – bankers and preachers, educators and war veterans. People who are a part of the history of Greensboro.
He lived beside the cemetery in a campsite made up of tarps, and many different objects. Including a cross, a small American flag and many found objects such as bikes. He dug a ditch that funneled water to keep his sleeping area dry.
For years, he had been the guardian of the Union Cemetery. He cleaned it up, kept away vagrants and loiterers and erected an American flag in the cemetery.
On the bottom of the flag, Cole wrote: "Protected by the USMC.''
He died, alone in his campsite, next to the cemetery he watched over for 8 years.
Tom was a character known around downtown Greensboro. People tried to get him off the street and out of the cold, but he chose not to. A local company near his campsite served as a defacto office for him. His checks were sent there and his money was safe there. Many poeple knew him and welcomed his presence and smile. He made a lot of people smile and he is already missed.
He is survived by 7 children and 3 ex-wives.
Funeral services and Burial was September 24, 2013. The funeral procession was escorted by the Patriot Guard.
He was a college trained Civil Engineer and a US Marine.
He saw himself as the guardian of Union cemetery, four forgotten acres on the southern edge of downtown. A cemetery that contains the final resting place for free slaves and their descendents – bankers and preachers, educators and war veterans. People who are a part of the history of Greensboro.
He lived beside the cemetery in a campsite made up of tarps, and many different objects. Including a cross, a small American flag and many found objects such as bikes. He dug a ditch that funneled water to keep his sleeping area dry.
For years, he had been the guardian of the Union Cemetery. He cleaned it up, kept away vagrants and loiterers and erected an American flag in the cemetery.
On the bottom of the flag, Cole wrote: "Protected by the USMC.''
He died, alone in his campsite, next to the cemetery he watched over for 8 years.
Tom was a character known around downtown Greensboro. People tried to get him off the street and out of the cold, but he chose not to. A local company near his campsite served as a defacto office for him. His checks were sent there and his money was safe there. Many poeple knew him and welcomed his presence and smile. He made a lot of people smile and he is already missed.
He is survived by 7 children and 3 ex-wives.
Funeral services and Burial was September 24, 2013. The funeral procession was escorted by the Patriot Guard.
