Terry Cole

Terry Cole

Mount Gilead - Terry Cole, age 72, of Mount Gilead, passed away Sunday morning, July 11, 2021, at Marion General Hospital following a battle with long-haul COVID-19 pneumonia.

On October 1, 1948, Terry was born in Ashland, Ohio, a son of Madeline (Strine) Cole and the late James W. Cole. He graduated from Ashland High School in the Class of 1966 and then took some classes at The Ohio State University. From there, he attended the Career Academy in Columbus to become a radio announcer.

Terry was set up on a blind date with Mary "Sue" Tobin to attend her senior prom. They quickly fell for each other and a year and a half later were married in Ashland on October 5, 1970. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year together during quarantine.

Terry worked for a flower shop while he was in high school. After finishing classes with the Career Academy, he worked for numerous local radio stations. You probably know his voice where he was "Buckeye Chuck" for WMRN, where he worked for over 20 years. He also worked in construction for several years and spent the last 11 years as a driver and trainer for MCTC, now Morrow County Area Transit. Being a people person, he loved working there, talking with others and training them. He was also the halftime announcer for the Mount Gilead High School band for many years.

Over the years, Terry served his community in many ways including being a member of the Marion Rotary Club, United Way of Morrow County, President of the Heritage Trails Girl Scout Association, and involved in several other organizations.

Terry loved tinkering around, building things and painting. Whenever a family member or friend needed something, he would drop whatever he was doing and be there to help them.

Terry enjoyed being outdoors and traveling. He and Sue loved to go tent camping in their younger years. Family was extremely important to Terry. While his daughters were growing up, he was very active with them in Girl Scouts and coaching their softball teams. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and attending all of their activities. He even attended their dance recitals, which showed his true grandfatherly love, since he did not find joy in attending those events.

Music was a very important hobby in Terry's life. He knew everything about the songs and artists he listened to. He collected thousands of records, 8-tracks and cassettes. He also liked watching old sci-fi movies, Star Trek and Westerns. He was a big sports fan, always cheering on the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Terry was an "entrepreneur of jokes and puns." He was rather ornery and rotten at times, always finding a way to make you laugh and smile. He knew someone everywhere he went. He had a huge heart and would do anything he could to help you out.

Terry will be dearly missed by his wife, Sue, of Mount Gilead; three daughters: Carrie (Malcum) Salyers of Johnsville, OH, Stephanie (Andy) Haughn of Marion, OH, Vicki (Terry) Mikkelsen of Hillsboro, OH; six grandchildren: Jonathon (Kristi) Young, Brendon Hamblin, Caitlin (Jake) Budd, Alexis (Cam Jordan) Hamblin, Maddisen Mikkelsen, Alainna Mikkelsen; a great grandchild, Ainsley, on the way; his mother, Madeline Cole, of Ashland, OH; three siblings: Pat Markley, Jim (Karen) Cole, Lorie (Doug) Sloan, all of Ashland, OH; his canine companions, Zoe and Casey; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, in-laws and extended family members.

In addition to his father, Terry was preceded in death by twin infant brothers, Herbert and Harry Cole.

Terry's family will greet friends from 2 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at the Snyder Funeral Homes, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services to honor and celebrate his life will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Ed Mikkelsen officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Terry's name may be made to the Ohio State School for the Blind, United Way, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Terry's family, and your special memories or condolences may be shared with them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.