John R. Cole

John R. Cole (November 4, 1943-October 13, 2015)

John R. Cole was born in Bragg City, Missouri, the son of Warren and Dorothy Cole, and died in his home on October 13, 2015. In 1961, Cole graduated from Wardell High School and enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base until honorably discharged in 1965 after serving overseas in the Vietnam conflict.

December 31, 1965, he married Mary Sue Johnson Cole (daughter of J.W. and Ola Russell Johnson) of Henderson, Tennessee. They made their home in Henderson. He served as a deacon for the Henderson Church of Christ. In 1976 he graduated from Jackson State Community College.

He was an active member of the Chester County Lions Club, holding local and regional offices. Cole received the Melvin Jones Fellow and was recognized as Lion of the Year and Servant of the Year. In the 1980s, he was an active member of the Chester County Quarterback Club, helped build the fieldhouse, and often videotaped the games for the team. For more than 20 years, he was a Lionbacker supporter of sports at Freed-Hardeman University. Cole served his community as a Chester County Commissioner.

He worked for the former BellSouth (South Central Bell, AT&T, et al) from 1965-2004 and was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers. He joined the Army National Guard in 1970 and completed Army Aviation School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama in 1978. Cole was an Army helicopter aviator, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before his retirement in 2003. Flying helicopters was his passion.

Honors and awards include: Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf and 2 Bronze Oak Leaves, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass, Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Oak Leaf, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Aviation Badge, Senior Army Aviation Badge, Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon with Bronze Oak Leaf, Tennessee National Guard Volunteer Recruiting and Retention Unit Citation, Tennessee National Guard Service Ribbon with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Unit Citation, Tennessee National Guard Volunteer Ribbon, and Award of Master Army Aviator.

He was preceded in death by his son, CW4 Daniel E. Cole (2011).

He is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Johnson Cole; daughters Beth (Anthony) Naylor, and Becky (Brian) Ada, and daughter-in-law, Deanna Cole; eight grandchildren: Casey Wyatt, Brianna Ada, Julie Ada, Tristen Rhodes, Mitch Naylor, Carson Naylor, Lauren Cole, and Logan Cole. Cole also is survived by 12 brothers and sisters: Ted Cole, Jere Ruth Seal (Larry), Jack Cole (Cheryl), Ric Cole (Sandra), Bonnie Trammel, Betty Mills (Jay), Cathy Sewell (Ken), Steve Cole (Delona), Dennis Cole (Ginny), Vicki Arnold (Edward), Jody Cole, and Ronda Cole.

He is also survived by countless friends, family members, and neighbors. Cole influenced many who were proud to call him Husband, Dad, Brother, Cousin, Friend, and Sir. Cole was known and loved by many for his honor, humanitarianism, integrity, robust laughter, and sense of humor. He often played jokes and enjoyed life. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday at the Henderson Church of Christ with Casey Wyatt, Mitch Naylor, Steve Cole, Ben Flatt, and Ret. Adj. General Dan Wood officiating. Burial will follow with Military Honors at Chester County memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends at Shackelford – Casey Chapel from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to any of the following:
Mid-South Youth Camp c/o Freed-Hardeman University www.give.fhu.edu/msyc; or
A Soldier's Child Foundation at www.asoldierschild.org or P.O. Box 11242, Murfreesboro, TN 37129; or the Chester County Lions Club.

Shackelford Funeral Directors – Casey Chapel
Henderson, TN
731-989-2421