John Cole

1928 - 2016

COLE John Russell, M.D., 87, of Lexington, passed away May 17, 2016, at his home following an extended illness. Born October 23, 1928 in Winchester, Kentucky, son of the late Dr. Ernest and Anna (Crandall) Cole, he is survived by his wife of 59 years, Cynthia DeGelleke Cole. After receiving his high school diploma from Winchester Public Schools, John went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., and then receive his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. After completing both his internship and surgical residency with a specialty in Urology at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester N.Y., he joined the staff of The Lexington Clinic in 1960, serving as head of its Urology Division until 1985, and retired from practice in 1991. He served on the staffs of St. Joseph Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Central Baptist Hospital and The University of Kentucky College of Medicine, where he also served as Associate Clinical Professor of Urologic Surgery. In addition to his medical practice, he served for eight years on the Lexington Clinic Board of Directors, 10 years as head of St. Joseph Hospital's Urology Dept., one year as president of staff at St. Joseph, and one year as president of the Kentucky Urology Association. John was a member of the American Medical Association, American Urologic Association, Kentucky Medical Association and the Kentucky Urologic Association. His other interests and activities included serving on the local and state boards of the American Cancer Society, the Board of the Mental Health Association of Central Kentucky, the Board of the Lexington Clinic Foundation, and as secretary for the Fayette County Medical Society. He also was a member of Christ Church Cathedral and Walnut Hill Church. In addition to his wife, Cynthia, he is survived by his three children, John Russell Jr. (Kate), of Waverly, Pa.; Elizabeth Anne (Mark) Abbott, of Miami, Fl.; and Frederick Case (Laura), of Titusville, Fl., six grandchildren (Cole, Freddie, Caroline, Casey, Elizabeth and Woodson); a sister, Elizabeth Anne Sphar, of Lexington; sister- and brother-in-law Joan and John Shrewsbury, of Guilford, Conn.; several nieces and nephews, and his Cairn terrier, T.D. (short for "The Dog"). He was preceded in death by a sister, Ernestine, and two brothers, James and Lloyd. For all his accomplishments, John never was one to blow his own horn, unless that horn happened to be his trumpet and the tune in question was taken from the Great American Songbook. Evenings around the Cole household frequently were accompanied by solo renditions of "It's Been a Long, Long Time" or "Dark Town Strutters' Ball" drifting out from the living room. He had a lifetime love for jazz and standards, from his days growing up, through college and medical school and into later life, when he joined a group of fellow retirees to form "The Grateful Living," a Dixieland band which performed at retirement and nursing homes around Lexington. He'll be remembered by those who knew and loved him as the quintessential gentleman doctor, and for his gracious manner, quiet patience, strong work ethic, simple honesty and a quick, dry wit that occasionally he'd let loose into outright silliness. He enjoyed the company of others, the sunny warmth of Naples, Fl, where he and Cynthia escaped to their condominium during the winter months, a round of golf, and the taste of good bourbon. He gave more than he took, left this world a better place than he found it, and will be sorely missed. A memorial service is planned for June 18, 2016 at Walnut Hill Church at 11am. Visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Ave, 40504, or to the charity of your choice. www.milwardfuneral.com