Samsung Note 4–contact sync issue

After updating my Note 4 to Android 5.1.1, I noticed that a few of my contacts weren’t synchronizing correctly from Google.  After looking into it further, I realized there were MANY contacts that were missing.  No real pattern, but I’ve never seen this before.

I tried to resolve the problem by stopping the sync for Google Contacts, but that didn’t work.  I also read several articles (many, many articles) that were inaccurate or incomplete, then I started from scratch and documented my process.

• Removed all the accounts that synchronized contacts (Google, Samsung, Company e-mail, etc).
• Cleared cache for all applications
• Cleared System Cache

Process to clear system cache

1. Press Home, Volume Up and Power buttons together.
2. Let the Power and Home buttons go off when the Note 4 starts vibrating.
3. Now recovery screen will be shown to you. Select Wipe Cache partition using the Volume Down key.
4. Confirm the step by pressing the Power button.
5. Reboot System Now option needs to be selected and confirm it by pressing the Power button.