John Marion Cole, age 90, of Bossier City, Louisiana went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 11, 2025, surrounded by family. John was born on October 25, 1934, in Wisner, Louisiana to the late Clarence Cooper Cole and Maggie Lily Sturdivant Cole. John married the love of his life, Barbara, on November 5, 1961, in Denver, Colorado and had four children together. They were married 56 years before her death in 2017. John retired from the United States Air Force in August of 1976 after 24 years of honorable service. After his military career ended, he worked 18 years with the James River Corporation. Despite over 42 years of professional work, his most valued profession was that of “Papa”.
Papa was consistently available for his grandchildren and was not going to miss a “Grandparent’s Day” or miss the opportunity to take care of a sick grandchild on a weekday while their parents were at work. He taught his grandchildren some of his unique culinary tastes from how to “properly” mix peanut butter & jelly to pouring a dash of milk on his ice cream to soften it up some.
Despite working with his hands throughout his career, one of his most unique gifts was his mind. He could remember dates, stories, and numbers with the best of them which he was able to pass down to his children and their children. Even during the latter years of his life, Papa could still tell you the date he paid his house off or the one time he had to clean President Eisenhower’s desk while in the service.
John Cole was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Maggie Cole, wife, Barbara Cole; grandson, Jesse Cole; great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Gollow; and brother, Allen Bell Cole. John is survived by his four children; John Allen and wife Mary, Stephanie King and husband Greg, Delores Gollow, and James Cole; four grandsons, Jason Griffin, Bret King and wife Angie, Michael Gollow and wife Hannah, and Cody King and wife Taylor; and six great-grandchildren; Abby, Ellie, Callie, Luke, Carter, and Anderson. He is also survived by one brother, William Cole, two sisters, Elizabeth Watkins & Polly Haring and one sister-in-law Carolyn Cole.
His family would like to give a special thanks and recognition to Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Christus Highland Hospice for their professionalism and diligence during his transition into eternity.
2 Timothy 4:7 NLT, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
A race well run, Papa, we will see you again!
A visitation for John will be held Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 1:00 PM until time for the Celebration of a Life Well Lived at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Highway 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037, with Grandson, Cody King officiating.
John will be laid to rest on the grounds of Hill Crest Memorial Park, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037
Memorials may be made in honor of John Marion Cole to Tunnel to Towers, at https://t2t.org.
