John William Cole II

Cole, John William, II, age 69, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 9, 2015. John was born in Watonga, Oklahoma on April 17, 1945, to John William “Prof” Cole and Ruth Imogene Cole. John moved to Knoxville with his family when he was six years old, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School from first to eighth grade which was part of Immaculate Conception. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1963. In 1967 he earned a BS Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Oklahoma State in Stillwater. From there he entered a lifelong career in food services and catering. John expressed his love for gardening with a picturesque flower garden of a yard that occupied much of his spare time. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, and most especially his love for his family. John was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Shelia. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary Neas Cole, sons David Charles Cole, John William Cole, III and his wife Christina Feller Cole. John was lovely known as “Papa” to many people, but most especially to his four beautiful grandchildren: Jessica McKenzie Cole, Jordan Cole Mason and her husband Joseph Christian Mason, John William Cole, IV and Patrick Alan Cole. John is also survived by his two sisters and their husbands: Patricia Cole Thurston and Dr. Timothy W. Thurston, and Susan Cole Sweetser and Clark Allen Sweetser, Jr. The service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 544 N. Broadway at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 13, 2015, following the inurnment in the church columbarium at 11:30. Family and friends will greet one another at a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church for the Senior Adult Ministry program (SAM) or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Berry Highland Memorial. Condolences may be offered at www.highlandmemorialknoxville.com