Father Edward Thomas Coles

COLES, FATHER EDWARD THOMAS, S.J., died at Our Lady of Wisdom Nursing Home in New Orleans, Tuesday, October 21, 2003. He was a Jesuit for 57 years, and a priest for 44 years. He was born in Houston, Texas, in 1924, and he graduated from St. Thomas High School in Houston in 1941. Father Cole's family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1941. Although Father Coles graduated from St. Thomas High School in Houston, his mother thought he was too young to go to college; for this reason she enrolled him at St. John's High School in Shreveport for the 1941 - 1942 school year. He entered Loyola University in New Orleans in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945, and was a prisoner of war in Germany during the final weeks of the war. he entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1946. He studied philosophy at Spring Hill College (1950 - 1953), and studied theology at St. Mary's College, St. Mary's Kansas (1956 - 1960). He was ordained at Spring Hill College on June 17, 1959. He is survived by his sister, Sister Jane Coles, a Sister of Divine Providence of San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Coles, and two sisters, Alice Ann Coles, and Sister Mary Catherine Coles, O.P. His sister Catherine, because she could not say "brother", call him "Bubba" and that became his name. Father Coles went for special studies in education at the University of Houston (1961 - 1964), where he obtained a masters in education, and later to the University of Florida for doctoral studies. He also had a degree in accounting from Loyola University. He had a long and fruitful ministry, especially in high school ministry. He was principal at Strake Jesuit in Houston (19561 - 1964), at Jesuit High School in Tampa (1964 - 1969). He spent 1970 - 1971) in further studies at the University of Florida. In 1971, he became principal at Jesuit High in New Orleans, but his term there was abruptly ended by a heart attack. After recovering from the heart attack, Father Coles began serving as treasurer, counselor, assistant to the principal at Jesuit High Schools in Shreveport, Tampa, and Houston. In 1983 - 1984 he was an associate pastor at St. Rita Church in Dallas, Texas, then at St. Michael's Church in Houston, Texas, then at St. Ignatius Church in Spring, Texas. He was assigned to Holy Name Parish in 2000, but because of bad health he came to Ignatius Residence in New Orleans. He was later moved to Our Lady of Wisdom Nursing Home on General De Gualle Avenue. In spite of his deteriorating health, he ministered to the residents at Our Lady of Wisdom for as long as he could and he was admired and respected by all. There will be a vigil service for Father Coles at Thomas Hall at Loyola University on Thursday, October 23, 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be at Our Lady of Wisdom Nursing Home, 5600 General DeGaulle Dr. on Friday, October 24, at 10 A.M. Burial will be in the Jesuit Cemetery in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Arrangements by: Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home 3827 Canal St. New Orleans, La 70119 504-482-2111