James A. Cole Jr.

James A. Cole, Jr., left this life peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, October 6th following a courageous battle with leukemia and lymphoma.
He was born on September 13, 1935 in Spartanburg, SC to the late James A. Cole, Sr. and Eula Z. Cole. He attended Salisbury City Schools, graduating from Salisbury High School in 1953. Thereafter he attended Catawba College for one year, transferring to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he graduated. In 1958 he joined the United States Army Reserves and served in a Civil Affairs and Military Government Unit until honorably discharged in 1964. In 1961 he graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law. While in Chapel Hill, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity and Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity.
He practiced law in Durham for more than 45 years, had been a member of the American Bar Association and a sustaining member of the American Judicature Society. He was an original founder of the North Carolina Bar Foundation. He was a member of the North Carolina State Bar, and served on the Grievance Committee of the 14th Judicial District as both member and Chairman. During his years as an attorney, he promoted the ethical practice of law and felt it was the duty of attorneys to help people.
Always interested in community affairs, he was a former member of the Durham Jaycees, holding a variety of offices. He was very proud of his affiliation with Goodwill Industries and served on its Board of Directors for more than 25 years, and as its Chairman in 2006. He was a member of the Corporate Board of Directors of Central Carolina Bank and Trust Company of prior to its merger with the National Bank of Commerce, and thereafter served as a member of the Council to the Board of Directors of National Bank of Commerce.
He was also very proud of his partners and his law firm, Stubbs, Cole, Breedlove, Prentis and Biggs, which he, together with Allison J. Stubbs and C. Thomas Biggs, established in 1969.
A member of Epworth United Methodist Church for more than 35 years, he served as a member of the Finance Committee and its Chairman.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Janice C. Cole; daughter, Ashley H. Burse and husband, Stephen E. Burse of Swampscott, MA; a grandson, Stephen E. Burse, Jr., born April 13th, 2005; three sisters, Celia Boswell and husband, Kenneth, Olivia Collin and husband, Jan, and Karen Bowyer; a brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Susan Colel; and mother-in-law, Ruth E. Cole.
He was predeceased by his son, James Anderson Cole, III in 1978.
A memorial service will be held Monday, October 9th at 11:00 a.m in Howerton and Bryan Funeral Chapel, Rev. Brian Gentle officiating. Private burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery.
Friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Howerton and Bryan Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the James Anderson Cole, III Scholarship at Durham Academy, 3601 Ridge Rd., Durham, NC 27705.