Caring, loving, tenderhearted, amazing
Cole was just 18 when he lost his life to fentanyl poisoning. He left behind his sister Ella, little brother Seth, mother Rebekah, stepfather John Purcell, and grandparents Randy and Linda Huffman.
Cole’s mother remembers him as “an amazing person…sweet, kind, caring, smart, funny, tenderhearted…”. She also recalls that he loved his family and was a good friend to others. She misses his smile and his voice, and “would give anything to hear him say “I love you, mom,” just one more time.
One fond memory Rebekah has of her son happened when he went clothes shopping with his mom and sister. While his sister tried on clothes in the dressing room, Cole kept whistling at her. Despite her yelling at him to stop, Cole persisted, thoroughly aggravating his sister. His mother loves this memory because it happened just four days before his death. She said that “it shows how silly Cole liked to be. He was always up to aggravate his siblings. But he always did it out of love!”
Cole had a number of talents including wood working and origami, and he also loved baseball. His real passion was trap shooting. In his first year on the high school trap shooting team, he placed fourth in the state of California. His mother remembers that “he had a great talent in shooting.”
Cole was also a hard worker. He held a number of jobs during high school including at a school daycare, a golf cart shop, and McDonalds. His employers valued Cole because he was reliable and loved to work–including taking other employee’s shifts when needed. His mom recalled that Cole loved having a job.
Cole’s accomplishments also included graduating early from high school. Because of mental health issues, Cole missed a significant amount of school–even worrying that he might not graduate. But he worked hard and graduated a month early after all.
Cole also had a positive effect on others. After he passed, Rebekah received a phone call from a woman who claimed Cole helped save her son’s life. Apparently, Cole had met her son in an outpatient drug rehab, and Cole’s constant encouragement, friendship, and influence helped her son stay sober.
Though very close to his family, Cole’s mother recalls when on drugs he was not himself. He could be verbally mean, angry, and out of control. The most frustrating part, she recalls, was being powerless to do anything to stop him.
Since Cole’s passing, his mother has educated herself about fentanyl. She has since dedicated her time to addressing junior high and high school students about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning. Her mission is clear, as she states, “I do not want any other family to lose their child.”
Cole’s mother, Rebekah Brown, provided the information for this narrative.
December 19, 2002-September 2, 2021-Age 18
Portrait Artist: Jerry Pope
Narrative Writer: Justin Robertson
