John Howard Coles IV

COLES, John Howard IV – Age 53 of Franklin. Died on Saturday at St. Thomas Hospital after suffering sudden cardiac arrest while officiating Friday's Montgomery Bell Academy-McCallie game. John officiated high school and college football games for three decades, including high school and college championship games, and he died doing what he loved most besides spending time with his family. He earned tremendous respect as a football umpire and treated players and coaches alike with respect and compassion. He was also known for a sense of humor that could break the tension of any situation. John was born in Nashville on Nov. 26, 1956 and graduated from David Lipscomb High School and Lipscomb University, earning a degree in political science. He married Lois Elkins in 1980 and they have two children, John Howard Coles, V., 27, and Robert Martin Coles, 23. He was senior project manager for HKS Inc. in Franklin. He lived a rich, full life and found joy in everything he did, whether it was spending time with his family at their Center Hill Lake cabin, hunting and fishing with son Johnny, attending son Robert's plays or teasing dear friend John Griswold. He was a big man whose imposing physique was matched by his irresistible personality and a laugh that was a highlight at every family gathering. Mr. Coles is survived by his wife, Lois Elkins Coles; his sons, John H. Coles, V and Robert Coles; his parents, Dr. John H. Coles III and Barbara Dickson Hughes; his step mother, Gloria Coles; his sisters, Lynne Coles and Lisa Coles Alexander and her husband Dr. Clay Alexander; his step siblings, Beverly Keel, Susan Keel and Bill Keel; his parents-in-law, Robert and Faye Elkins. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Highway 100. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home's chapel. Honorary pallbearers are the Middle Tennessee Football Officials Association, the Mid-South Conference Football Officials, Mike McMillen, Doug Sanders, Alan Johnson, Russell Pearl, Judge Steve Dosier, Jay Gore, Kevin Doak, Bayron Binkley, Gary Green, George Tucker, Jim Kay and John Rutledge. Pallbearers will be Doug Clark, Curt Chesley, John Griswold, David Harper, Mike Jones, David Mason, Joe Gray and Tim Pardue. In lieu of flowers, make donations to the American Heart Association.