Joe Enoch Cole 94 one of Kirkwood Missouri's most recognized citizens died Sunday May 13 2012 at Lexington Medical Center. He was 94 years old. Joe was the founder of Club 44. He was also the recipient of the Chamber's Citizen of the Year Award in 1967 Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 among many other awards and volunteer positions too numerous to list. Joe was born in Clinton AR in 1918. His parents soon moved the family to St. Louis. When he was seven years old his mother died in childbirth and soon after he his father grandmother and six sisters moved to Kirkwood in a horse-drawn wagon. He had worked for several Kirkwood businesses as well as serving on the police force for a time. During WWII he joined the US Army. Joe had seven children including Rushnell Morris Julian Enoch Chester Clem and Rosenette. Over the years many more sought out food and shelter from him knowing his door was always open to any child in need. He married Rose in 1967. In 1954 Joe founded Club 44. This Kirkwood based Christian youth organization has as its theme "Working Together for God and for Country." During the years hundreds of young people have benefited from the program. Operated locally in cooperation with the Kirkwood-Webster YMCA the Club sponsors special educational trips. The destination of the trips allows young people to expand their horizons and is underwritten by each young person working to pay for their own expenses. Joe's love for the community his intelligence deep religious faith advocacy for children tireless efforts on behalf of racial harmony and keen sense of humor combined with his natural charm and congeniality has won friends and admirers throughout the area. It's likely he had gotten to know every elected official who served the area on the local state and national level as well as most staff personnel during his lifetime. Joe was always active in the community serving on numerous boards and commissions and had been a constant supporter of the Chamber. Joe was beloved in and around the Kirkwood area. Those of us who knew him personally will remember him as one of the sweetest and most generous individuals we ever had the good fortune of meeting and calling a friend. Joe will truly be missed. Visitation were held Sunday May 20 4 to 8 p.m. at Bopp Chapel 10610 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. A funeral Mass was celebrated Monday May 21 10 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church 243 W. Argonne. Interment did follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Joe Cole Book Scholarship % Kirkwood Family YMCA 325 N. Taylor Ave. Kirkwood MO 63122. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home Chapin SC and Bopp Chapel Kirkwood Missouri are assisting the family.