Mr. LaVaughn Alex Cole

After graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1968, he attended Ferris State College. He transferred to Grand Valley State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. LaVaughn was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Beta Chapter at Ferris State College in March of 1969, where he was the Line President. At Grand Valley, he was a founding member of Iota Epsilon Chapter at Grand Valley State University in 1974.

LaVaughn dedicated his life to service and was committed to working with disadvantaged youth in the greater Dallas area. With LaVaughn’s direction, many individuals’ path to success was cleared and he will be remembered for his guidance with wisdom and humor. During his retirement celebration, he expressed working for the Dallas County Juvenile Department was not a job it was his ministry; he led with a servant's heart. He retired from Dallas County Juvenile Department on February 2, 2007, after serving 25 years.

LaVaughn was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and a member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Homeless Ministry.

LaVaughn was a neighbor and friend to countless individuals through his church, school and neighborhood. A proud resident of Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1982, LaVaughn worked to keep his neighborhood safe and his home a welcome location. Since the early 2000’s, LaVaughn served in many capacities on Cedar Hill-Highlands South neighborhood advisory board such as Secretary and Parliamentarian. He helped organize the Highlands South National Night-Out Block Party, and assisted with drafting the Highlands South “Good Eye,” an effort to promote being neighborly and mindful of activity in the area.

LaVaughn’s life was forever changed and completed when he met and later married the former Jo Ann Kirkland in 1986. From then on, you would rarely see or even hear one mentioned without the other. As a couple, they both supported each other’s educational and career pursuits, both having had long and proud legacies of caring for those in greatest need. They were the best of friends and loved those they shared their lives with and opened their home to.

LaVaughn and his beloved “Jo” saw the world together and whether cruising or simply enjoying a lovely meal close to home, they made lasting friends, relationships, and memories wherever they went. They were simply happiest being together. Later in life, LaVaughn looked forward to quiet pleasures, keeping his home and yard immaculate, listening to music, reading, and “driving Ms. Jo” to engagements near and far. Through Jo Ann’s illness, LaVaughn remained a dutiful husband, partner, and friend. The two would part, but only for a while, when Jo Ann passed from this life on November 7, 2022.

After a brief illness, LaVaughn was granted his heavenly reward with Christ on December 31, 2024, at the age of seventy-four. He has gained his wings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his Queen and loving wife, Jo Ann.

LaVaughn leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving and devoted sister Judith Williamson of Battle Creek, Michigan; nephew Ahmed S. Farah of Midlothian, Texas; sister-in-law Diann Farah of Fort Worth, Texas; brother-in-law George Lee Kirkland of Fort Worth, Texas; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family and life-long friends.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with LaVaughn’s love of positive youth development and education, donations may be made to:

The Clarence & Ruth Cole Memorial Scholarship

https://bccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1232

Battle Creek Community Foundation

32 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 1, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017