Reverend Gerald Robert Cole

Jerry was born to Ezra and Violet (Rogers) Cole on September 6, 1933 in Resource, Saskatchewan, Canada. He followed 8 siblings, Daisy, Nellie, Lillian, Bertha, Eunice, Stanley, George and Mary, all preceding him in death.

Jerry attended and graduated from Canadian Nazarene College in 1956 with a Bachelor of Theology degree and went on to Nazarene Theological Seminary In Kansas City, Missouri attaining a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1962.

At Canadian Nazarene College, Jerry met Ruth Warnock, a match made in heaven. Jerry & Ruth married in 1957 and went on to have 3 children, Cynthia, Linda and Loren. After moving to Washington state, Jerry and his family cherished each vacation visiting relatives across British Columbia, Alberta and Seskatchewan.

Jerry followed his ministerial calling with Ruth first in Red Deer, Alberta and then through church pastorates across the Northwest District of the Nazarene Church. Jerry’s gentle and wise spirit shone in his commitment to Christ, first and foremost. He loved ministry, faithfully serving the Lord for over 50 years as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene and hospice chaplaincy ministry.

Jerry was blessed by second wife, Shirley Hodgdon (m.1999), and the blending of two loving families. In later years, Jerry and Shirley together enjoyed Southern gospel music, traveling with friends and loyally supporting Gonzaga basketball.

At home in heaven, Jerry joined his parents and 8 siblings, Ruth (d.1997), and Shirley (d. 2020). Jerry is lovingly survived by family members: children, Cynthia (Rob) Thompson, Linda Cole, Loren Cole; stepchildren Cynthia Hodgdon, Michelle (Brian) St. Peter; grandchildren Marielle (DJ) Kemp, Mike Thompson; great grandchildren, Alex Kemp and Ava Kemp; beloved brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Though saddened for their earthly loss, the family rejoices now in Jerry’s eternal peace and wholeness of body. Jerry’s life will be celebrated in a memorial service at Evergreen Fountains chapel July 7, 2025 interment to follow in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, July 9, 2025.

“You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”

~2 Peter 1:11