On Saturday August 3, 2019 God called his child home to study war no more.
Corporal Jonathan Cornelius Coles, son of Penelope Stevens and the late John Coles I, was born December 9, 1976. This union produced three children, he was the youngest.
He attended St. Mary’s Academy, Lake Taylor Middle School, and Booker T. Washington High School. He then went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Norfolk State University and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
At an early age, he accepted Christ as his personal savior, was baptized, and became a member of First Baptist Church Capeville, on the Eastern Shore, where he worshipped until he left the Hampton Roads area.
Jonathan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1998. He received numerous awards and medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas, Service Ribbon and served as a trainer in military self-defense combat. He was a recruiter and his area of expertise was rifle and pistol operations. In 2008 he joined the Virginia Army National Guard, in which he also served with honor and distinction. When his health declined, he desired to continue working on base. He worked for AAFES at Scofield Barracks in Hawaii and when he moved to Arizona, he became a retail manager at Fort Huachuca, Arizona for the Department of Defense. He was a gifted auto repairman and loved to lend a helping hand to friends in need.
The military enabled Jonathan to explore his many unique interests. As a youngster, he enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, and football. As he matured, he successfully competed in the amateur ranks of Mixed Martial Arts, (MMA). At the time of his passing he was completing hours to obtain his pilot’s license. and enjoyed being a scuba diver.
“Sweet Sweet “as he was affectionately called will be dearly missed. We loved him.
His legacy lives on in his daughter, who was his pride and joy, LaShayjia Coles. His memories will be cherished by his mother, Penelope Stevens, twin brother, John Coles II, brother-in-law and sister, Clarence and Stephanie Richardson, nephew Marcus Richardson, nieces Naomi and McKenzie Coles and Autumn and Miranda Richardson. Uncles, Mountrolus Stevens, Jr (Pat)
and John Gulledge (Margaret) Terry, Oliver and Maurice Banks (Lillian) and aunts; Martha Taylor and Freda Stevens. and a host of cousins, extended family and friends. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Collins family for the love and care shown to Jonathan during his illness.