Colonel John C. Cole

Graveside services with Masonic rites for Colonel John C. Cole (who died November 9, 2017) will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler. Colonel Cole was born in Okmulgee, OK on July 1, 1931. He graduated from high school in 1950. He graduated from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in 1955 with a BS Degree in Business Administration. He received his Masters of Art Degree in Management from Webster University of St. Louis, MO in 1979. Colonel Cole joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1948 as a private in Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion 279th Infantry in Okmulgee, OK. He was promoted to SFC in 1950 and assigned to the S-2 section as Intelligence Sgt. in Headquarters & Headquarters Company 279th Infantry Regiment. He was called to active duty in September1950 with the 279th Infantry Regiment when the 45th Infantry Division was mobilized. He remained as Intelligence Sgt. through Japan and Korea. Upon his return to the ZI, he was released from active duty in July 1952. In Sept. 1952, he returned to the 279th Infantry when he enlisted in M Company, 3rd Battalion in Tahlequah, OK and assigned as a Machine Gun Platoon Sgt. In 1953, he was appointed by direct commission to 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to I Company 3rd Battalion in Stilwell, OK as an Infantry Platoon Leader. He returned to M Company as a Platoon Leader in 1954 and later was assigned as the Company Executive Officer in 1955. In 1956, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and assigned to S-1 in the 145th AAA Battalion, 45th Infantry Division. Later he was assigned as Headquarters Battery Commander of the 160th F A Battalion in Pawhuska, OK. After being transferred to Dallas, TX in 1961, he became a member of the student detachment of the 4150th USAR School in Dallas. He was promoted to Captain in 1963. In 1964, he became a member of the G-2 Section of the 49th Armored Division of the Texas National Guard. He was promoted to Major in 1968. From 1964 – 1975 he was assigned as S-2 for the 72nd SEP INF BDE (MECH); XO of the 3/144 Infantry Battalion; CO of the 1/112 Armor Battalion of the 49th Armored Division TXARNG. In 1975, he returned to active duty as a Lt. Colonel with the US Army Concept Analysis Agency in Washington, DC. In 1976, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff, Army as an Operational Analyst in the Manpower and Budget Section of the Programs, Analysis and Evaluation Directorate. He was promoted to full Colonel in 1977 and assumed the duties as the Army National Guard Advisor for Army Readiness Region V at Fort Sheridan, IL. He served the five-state area of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota, helping to supervise the training of reservists. He was selected as a student for the US Army War College. Upon graduation in June 1980, he served as a member of the 1990’s study conducted at the Reserve Forces Policy Board (DOD) in the Pentagon. In November 1980, he returned to the US Army War College as the National Guard Advisor to the Commandant; Director of Military Strategy, Department of Corresponding Studies: and a regular Instructor of Management of the resident course. Colonel Cole attended the NCO Intelligence Course at Ft. Riley, KS in 1950-51: The Counter Intelligence Course at Tokyo, Japan in 1951; The Career Officers Course at Ft. Benning, GA in 1964; The Correspondence Course at the US Army Command & General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS in 1973; The United States Army War College Residence Course at Carlisle Barracks, PA, Class of 1980. His Campaigns include: 2nd Korean Winter; Korean, Summer – Fall 1952. His Awards and Decorations include: The Legion of Merit; The Bronze Star Medal; The Combat Infantry Badge; The Good Conduct Medal; The Army Commendation Medal; Army Occupation Medal (Japan); Korean Service Medal with 2 Battle Stars; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; The Texas Distinguished Service Medal; The Oklahoma Service Medal; The US Army Meritorious Service Medal. Colonel Cole retired from active military service in 1982 and assigned to the Reserve Officers Control Group. He is survived by his sister, Patsy Warren; his sons, John C. Cole III and wife Brenda; Lawrence Bradley Cole and wife Linda; grandchildren, Kevin, David, Aaron, Leah and Emma; and five great-grandchildren. Colonel Cole was a 40-year member of Tyler Masonic Lodge No. 1233. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219.

Colonel John C. Cole

July 1, 1931 - November 9, 2017