Dennis Cole, 74, Dothan bus driver who suddenly died on the job

[Chonky]

DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Life has been turned upside down for the family and coworkers of a Dothan City Schools school bus driver who suddenly died while he was at work.

Dennis Cole was found dead at the Dothan City Bus Barn Monday evening.

“It’s just still we are really in shock, it’s hard for all of us right now, this will be our new reality of not having him. he was doing what he loved,” said Sydney brooks, Cole’s oldest granddaughter.

“I got the news at the same time the other drivers did, and it was devastating because he was so loved by everybody,” said one of Cole’s fellow bus drivers, Virginia Thomas.

District officials say he had a medical emergency and died of heart-related issues.

Family members say they were unaware of any health-related issues.

“It was out of nowhere, it just happened. he didn’t come home from work, went looking, and found him there. It doesn’t seem real still,” said Brooks.

The family says Cole has always been a public servant. He has worked for the district transportation department since 2013 and even earned the employee of the year award for 2018-19.

“He loved the kids he worked with, like the Slingluff kids and the DPA kids. I know they will miss not seeing him anymore. he was a wonderful person,” said Brooks.

Co-workers say he was very funny and would often prank them, but most importantly, he was compassionate.

“One particular story, there was a boy who wanted to buy a drink on Wednesday, and Dennis made sure he had three dollars in his pockets so he could get his drink. he cared for the students,” Thomas said.

“He always asked how I was, that’s how he was, he cared for somebody else,” said another coworker,” Ronnie Taylor.

His department remembered Cole and showed their love by turning his parking spot into a memorial that read “You Are Missed 50,” which was his bus number, and a yellow cross with an Alabama Crimson Tide bow.