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John Cole Obituary
He was married to the love of his life, Jobil Lassiter Cole, on June 16, 1956.
After serving in the United States Army in Heidelberg, West Germany as Chief of Otolaryngology, Jack began a private practice in Roanoke, Va., in 1965 at the Roanoke Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic from which he retired in 1998. After his retirement, he worked at the VA Hospital Otolaryngology Clinic until September 2009. He was appointed Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology, University of Virginia. His professional activities included serving the Roanoke Academy of Medicine as President, Medical Society of Virginia, Virginia Society Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and Examiner American Board of Otolaryngology. He served on many Boards of Directors, some local and some regional, including the Roanoke Academy of Medicine, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Rotary Club of Roanoke, American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons, Virginia Society of Otolaryngology, Virginia Healthcare Foundation, and many others. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Roanoke, the English Speaking Union, SAR, the Round Table, and the Shenandoah Club.
Jack enjoyed traveling, playing golf, was an avid outdoorsman, a long-winded joke-teller, a voracious reader, cared deeply for his patients, was an amazing and gifted physician and surgeon, as well as a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Cole and Elizabeth Dent Cole; and his sister, Cecilia (Teada) Cole Stephens. He is survived by his wife, Jobil; sister, Elizabeth Dent Moses; daughter, Ashton and her husband, Mark Plymale; son, Mark and his wife, Janet Cole; daughter, Paige and her husband, David Rock; grandchildren, Cole Plymale, Ryan, Eric and Michael Cole, and Elizabeth, Emily and Alexander Rock; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom he adored dearly.
A service will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Jefferson Street and Elm Avenue, Roanoke Va. A graveside service and interment will be held 1 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2009, at Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery, 2020 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Va.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in his honor to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Cole
Jonathan Pender
October 27, 2009
Dr. Cole was an excellent teacher and surgeon. I had the distinct pleasure of working with him this past summer. His passion for his patients and duty to serve the public was admirable. His teachings, mentorship and legacy will not be forgotten.
Jim Rood
October 11, 2009
Jobil and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy at the loss of your beloved husband,father and grandpa. I will surely miss cutting his hair and talking to him. I always enjoyed our conversations, as he was a brilliant man and knowledgeable on so many subjects. He was also one of the best docs I have ever gone to.
May God hold you in His arms and comfort you in this time.
Love,
John Wiercioch
October 10, 2009
Jobil,
I will always remember Dr. Cole with great fondness, especially his wonderful sense of humor, sincerity and warmth. He never let on how many of his own physical challenges he surmounted, and through them all was always such a genuinely kind man with a great spirit. He clearly adored you, and this steadfast display of love in itself was a gift to us all. He will be greatly missed. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Janet Price
October 8, 2009
Dear Mrs. Cole,
I am saddened to learn of Dr. Coles untimely death. You both were wonderful to work for, I have many fond memories of him. Know that you and your family are in my prayers.
S. Hardy Cole, Jr.
October 8, 2009
Deepest sympathies. Many fond memories of
young Jack growing up in Va. Beach.
Bess Hannigan
October 8, 2009
My deepest sympathy to both Dr. Cole's family and his VA family as well.
He was an excellent role model for younger physicians and Medical students and a great teacher to everyone on the healthcare team who cared for his patients.
He will be greatly missed.
His legacy will live forever.
Carolyn Moore
October 8, 2009
My heartfelt sympathies go out to all of Dr. Cole's family. I had the privilege of being treated by him many many years ago and the privilege of working with him at the V.A.M.C. in the operating room and clinic. He truly loved working with the veterans as well as their families. He was a wonderful teacher to all he worked with. He did tell some wonderful,"long winded stories" that we all got a laugh out of.He was one of a kind and will be missed greatly. He spoke often of his family and I know you will share many wonderful memories of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Daphne Huffman
October 8, 2009
Dear Cole family,
I was fortunate to work with Dr. Cole back when T&A's and myringotomies were daily inpatient procedures on the old 7 West pediatric unit at RMH. He was a friendly, kind, compassionate physician and always respectful of the nurses. I considered him a friend. May God bless and comfort all of you during this sad time.
Daphne Hollie Huffman RN
Russell Crow
October 7, 2009
To the Cole family,
I am deeply sadden to hear of the news of Dr Cole's passing. As a kid I had many a hearing examine at the McClanahan Street facility (I can envisioned myself in the waiting room reading Highlights magazine in 1968 to early 1970's). He was an excellent doctor and a very up beat, positive person. He left a very positive indelible impression on me and undoubtedly on many others. I had the good fortune to know his three children at North Cross School in Roanoke. Wendy, Mark and Paige please know that your father's good works, spirit and lasting memory will be shared by many for years to come. He left an indelible mark on my life. God bless and Godspeed.
Russell Crow
Sandra Atkinson
October 7, 2009
To The Cole Family,
I had the privilege of having Dr. Cole see me when Dr Grayson was not available. He was indeed a very special doctor, an he placed the patients feelings first. God be with each of you during this difficult time.
Bonnie christian
October 7, 2009
wendy aston plymale, I was sorry to hear of your dads passing. You and I were very close friends, i would stay at your house alot. You are in my thoughts and prayers Bonnie Rhodes Christian
richard Macher
October 7, 2009
Dear Cole family. I am sorry to hear about Dr. Cole passing. Ashton your dad was always so kind to me and i will never forget it. I think about the sunday brunchs at the old store and bloody marys on the back porch at the jefferson street house. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
October 7, 2009
Dr Cole was very helpful in the care of many of my patients - he was both kind and detailed. I also had the privilege of working with his daughter Ashton, and I send her and her family condolences and prayers.
Stephanie Nagy-Agren MD
Jo Ann D. Boone, R. N.
October 6, 2009
I was fortunate to have worked with Dr. Cole at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was a great physician as well as a wonderful human being. He always had a smile on his face which lit each patient's room he entered. His patients and their families loved him and looked forward to seeing him as he made his "rounds".
My heartfelt sympathies are sent to each and every member of Dr. Cole's family.
Rita Neel, RN
October 6, 2009
My deepest condolences to the Cole family. As Dr Cole's nurse at the Veterans Hospital, I knew he was very proud to have served his country in the Air Force and Army and felt it an honor to serve our veterans for the last 11 years of his career. He treated every patient as if they were a 4 star general. He worked as a physician until his final day, then quietly slipped out, as he wished. I will dearly miss his sense of humor, and he was proof that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. The Roanoke Valley and the veterans of the region were fortunate to have Dr Cole in our lives. It was my privilege to be able to work alongside him.
don ferry
October 6, 2009
it was great having you as a br and meeting you at reunions
Catherine Settle
October 6, 2009
To the Cole Family: I pray that God will give you comfort during this time of need. Dr. Cole you can continue to watch over us as you start your journey in Heaven. I will never find another ENT Dr. that can fill or replace your shoes. I was involved in a car accident in 1970 and Dr. Cole came to my rescue. I was only 3 but he cared for me until he retired. I would come in to see him and he would say so hows my little girl. He cared for me so long that he was like family. My mother thought he was a handsome man. She loved his caring way. When I would have an ENT problem dad would say call Dr. Cole. My father had such high respect for Dr. Cole. We all were patients. In 1985 I started having seizures and became a patient of Dr. Elias. I dont know how but Dr. Cole found outand came to check on me. It was my senior year in high school. I was unable to attend my high graduation so he and Dr. Elias, my LHS prinicpal and my mom made arrangements for some of my friends to visit me in RMH. I was so happy. I will never forget you Dr. Cole but most of all I will never forget the care you gave me. Dr. Cole your the greatest!!!!!
Maureen McCarthy MD
October 6, 2009
It is with sadness that we at the Salem VA Medical Center learned of the news of the peaceful passing of one of our beloved providers. Dr. Cole has been serving veterans at this facility since 1997 after a long history of serving both in the military and in the community as a doctor of otolaryngology (ENT). Dr. Cole was in the process of retiring from our facility and as recently as the day before he passed away was in touch with our office as he was conducting a review of an episode of patient care at another VA hospital. Dr. Cole is well known for his dedication and his commitment to care. He was well-respected by everyone here at Salem and by so many in the community.
We thank his family for sharing him with us, our students and trainees, and our patients. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Anne Bell Woods
October 5, 2009
To the Cole family... the community mourns with you and your family. Jack Cole has received his eternal glory which will go on forever. An unselfish and unconditional love that surpasses all understanding are just a few of the great qualities we knew. Know now that you he is only a thought or memory away. Words alone cannot express the 30 years of sincere love, memories,and admiration my family has felt for Jack. He was like a second father to my children, always available for support, guidance and a very special role model of goodness and wisdom. Jack has a special place in all our hearts. My condolences to the family. We love you all, Anne Bell Woods
October 5, 2009
Dear family'
I have in my "minds eye" Jacks infectious smile, his zest for comedy, his friendship, and his ever present gentlness.Unfortunately, through the passing years I fell short having visits. Now am acutely saddened at this wonderful "gentlemans" passing. My warmest regards to Jacks family.
Paul R. Meyer, Jr. MD '54
October 5, 2009
We will miss your wonderful smile and kind heart Jack was a pleasure to be with.God Bless!
Love and Prayers to the Family!
Roena Winebarger (Lighthouse Point,Fl)
Kiley Case
October 5, 2009
I had the honor and priviledge to work with Dr Cole when I first started here at the VAMC 6 years ago as his Medical Clerk. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
God Bless Dr Cole and my prayers are with his family and friends!
Arindam Choudhury
October 4, 2009
To all of Dr. Cole's family,
It was an honor to have Dr. Cole as my colleague at the Salem VA Medical Center. Dr. Cole served this country with distinction in the Army and Air Force and in his final years worked to help his fellow Veterans. It is equally an honor to call him a friend. I will miss his quiet wisdom that he has shared with me over the years I had the good fortune of knowing him. It is my good luck that my soul was touched by such a gentle gentleman.
October 3, 2009
Dear Family of Dr. Cole. I had the priviledge of working with him at Roanoke Memeorial Hospital. My prayers are with your family right now. I pray that God heals your wounds soon. He was a very nice man to work with.
Janet Donahue
James Northern
October 3, 2009
I will miss Dr. Cole. He had just retired from the Salem VA Medical Center after many years of providing excellent care to the Veterans. I was priviledged to work with him for the last 4 years. I am so sorry that he will not have time to enjoy a much deserved retirement.
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