Philip "Jerry" Cole

Philip Jerry Cole, known to all as “Jerry,” aged 84, of Warner Robins, passed away Monday evening at home, after a brief illness.

Jerry was born on a small farmstead in rural Coffee County near Nicholls, Georgia, on August 26, 1939, to Philip and Gattie Cole. He met his future wife, Marie Bagley of Ware County, in Nicholls as a young man, and it was love at first sight. They were happily married for over 65 years. 

Shortly after marrying, Jerry and Marie moved to Macon, where he briefly attended Mercer University. During this time, he was also briefly employed at a local rock quarry, followed by work at Armstrong ceiling factory. In 1960, he took a job at Robins Air Force Base, working in a warehouse. He worked his way up and soon gained a position as a pioneer COBOL computer programmer. After a number of years in this position, he moved to an administrative position with AFRES, also at Robins Air Force Base. After taking early retirement from Robins AFB, Jerry worked for many years as a real estate agent in the Warner Robins area, also working as an independent agent performing real estate valuations.

Jerry had a knack for mechanical and workshop activities. He was a gifted amateur technician and craftsman, and applied considerable ingenuity to many home projects over the years. This talent was passed along to him on the farm from his father, Philip Cole, who was known far and wide in Coffee County as the go-to man for almost any kind of repair or shop work. 

Jerry was a devout Christian and a devoted member of Green Acres Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. He and Marie joined the congregation in 1966, shortly after the church was founded. Together, they were the senior members of the entire congregation. 

Jerry had a sharp, incisive wit and was quick with a joke or a wry observation. He will be missed sorely by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, Marie, he is survived by his three children and their spouses, Steve Cole of Leuven, Belgium; Mike Cole of Petersburg, Tennessee; Renee Morris of Byron; their four granddaughters, Kelli Staudt, of Florence, Alabama; Janna Koppert, of Houston, Texas; Melanie Hyde, of Warner Robins; Malorie Acosta, of Warner Robins; and two great-grandchildren, Harper and Colton Hyde of Warner Robins; and his sister, Betty Dorminey Pettis of Macon.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 10. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by funeral 3:00 pm at McCullough Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Parkway Memorial Gardens.