James Allen Cole Sr.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton. Burial with military honors will follow at Southside Cemetery in Fulton. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

James was born June 15, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri and he married Edith Britt on June 10, 1955 in East St. Louis, Illinois.

He graduated from Lincoln Preparatory High School in Jefferson City, Missouri. James then received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1970 and his Master’s Degrees from Wayne State University in 1972 and Lincoln University in Jefferson City in 1979.

James was a member of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and retired after 21 years of service in 1974. He then worked for the State of Missouri Division of Personnel for 23 years until he retired in 1998.

He was a 42 year member of Fulton Church of God and Christ where he served as a Deacon and Superintendent of Sunday School. James also was a founding member of the Fulton Lions Club and a longtime member of the NAACP. He also worked as a Counselor at Youth Life Improvement Association in Fulton where he helped empower young people with their computer skills and develop their character.

James is survived by his wife of 61 years, Edith Cole of Fulton; sons, James Cole, Jr., Doug (Melinda) Cole and Brian Cole all of Fulton; daughters, Ella (Elder Bob) Washington of Fulton, Teresa (Deacon David) King of Kansas City, Missouri and LaShawn ( Dr. David) Randolph of Denver, Colorado; twenty six grandchildren; twenty eight great-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ella Mae Cole Owens; step-father, John Henry Owens; sisters, Phyllis Churchill and Mildred Glover; great-grandchild, Aerial Cole and special cousin, Superintendent Robert Cole.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fulton Church of God and Christ, 331 Northwest Street, Fulton, Missouri 65251.