Addison "Lew" Cole

1928 - 2025

Addison "Lew" Cole

June 28, 1928 - October 22, 2025

Addison "Lew" Cole, 97, of Grand Island, Nebraska passed away on October 22, 2025, at Tiffany Square.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m at All Faiths Funeral Home. Graveside service for immediate family will be held at the Grand Island Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025. All Faiths Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences can be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Lew was born on June 22, 1928, to the Reverend Addison "Lewis" and Ruth (Laidlaw) Cole in Texarkana, Texas. He attended Omaha Benson and graduated in 1946. After graduation, Lew went on to serve in the United States Army from 1950 - 1952. During that time, he fought in the Korean War. Following his military service, Lew was employed by Universal Pictures where he traveled throughout Nebraska selling movies to theaters. It was during a visit to the Island Theater, in Grand Island, that he met his wife, Donna, of 70 years. The two were united in marriage on May 20, 1955. Lew had many successful endeavors throughout his life. In addition to helping Donna manage the Island Theater, he also worked with copywriting and advertising for KMMJ radio station, moved onto the Public Relations Director for Stuhr Museum, and finished his career as owner of "Lew Cole Productions" where he produced radio, billboard, and newspaper ads for Fonner Park.

Lew and Donna looked forward to every summer because they could spend the majority of the time at their Minnesota cabin on Ponto Lake which they owned from 1977 - 2015. He enjoyed boating and drinks on the bank while listening to the loons call out to one another. Anyone who knew Lew understood his love of three things throughout his life; jazz, good Scotch, and Cadillacs, and he was a connoisseur of all three. He had a knowledge and appreciation of many of the great jazz musicians dating back to the 1930s and passed along that love with, both, his son, Lew, Jr. and his grandson, Grant. He could listen for hours to the nostalgic sound of the "Big Band" era, and right up to his very last days, he continued to suggest songs for Grant to listen to while describing all the nuances of each one. In addition, Lew loved his Cadillacs, and he owned many throughout his life. He took great pride in his vehicles and would spend hours cleaning and detailing every inch and then settle in at night for a cocktail of some of the finest Scotch and a Schnauzer on his lap while he watched the nightly news. More than anything, Lew was so proud of his family and shared his love and appreciation for them right up to his final day. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Lew was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents, Reverend Addison "Lewis" and Ruth (Laidlaw) Cole; and a sister, Josephine (Cole) Howes.

Lew is survived by one son, Lew Jr. (Shari); grandchildren, Alecia (Stephen) Pamas and Erica McMahon of Denver, Colorado, and Grant Cole of Omaha; one great-grandchild, Zoe Pamas; a brother, David Cole; niece, Jacque Cole; and nephew, David Cole.