Marion F. Cole

Shreveport, LA- Marion Franklin Cole, beloved husband, devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and aviation mentor to thousands, passed away Friday, July 8, 2011 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services celebrating the life of Marion will be conducted on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 11:00 am at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, Haughton, LA. Chaplain Larry Bass will officiate. Visitation will be held at Hill Crest on Monday, July 11, 2011 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

Marion was born December 9, 1924 in Toulan Township, Illinois. Marion became a “hangar brat” at an early age, hanging out at the airport, cleaning airplanes and hangars, anything to earn a ride with a local pilot. He soloed at age 16 and never looked back. Marion joined the service as soon as he was of age and became a flight instructor in the Navy. After World War II, Marion flew with his brothers in the Cole Brothers Air Shows, then established the Marion Cole Air Shows which operated until the early 1990’s. In addition to an air show performer, Marion was an aerobatic instructor, flight instructor, FAA examiner, corporate pilot for 32 years, plus a national and world aerobatic competitor.

He was a founding member of the International Aerobatic Club, taught aerobatics at the basic and advanced levels, and tutored many young aerobatic pilots for over 50 years. He flew air shows throughout the continental United States from the late 1940’s to the early 1990’s. He retired from the air show circuit but continued to council, tutor, and announce for young aerobatic hopefuls and attended several air shows each year.

Marion’s awards and accomplishments during his aviation career were numerous and included:

1952 National Aerobatic Champion, Member of the United States Men’s Aerobatic Team in the World Contest in 1968 in Magdeburg, East Germany, Madame Claire Chennault Aerobatic Award 1965, Mayor Honors Awards in 1965, 1966, 1967, for achievements in aviation, inducted into the International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame in 1988, EAA #48 and life time member, 60 year member of AOPA, and inducted into the ICAS Hall of Fame in 2006. During his life long career Marion logged over 31,000 hours of flight time.

One of the special thrills for Marion was teaching his family the craft he loved. Soon after he married, he taught his wife, Charlene, to fly. Continuing Marion’s legacy in aviation are three sons, three grandsons, and one daughter-in-law. Marion was also extremely proud to have his life story, The Performer, written and published recently by his good friend Gary Boucher.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Charlene, sons, Bill and wife Norma, Larry and wife Terri, Howard and wife Donna, Don and wife Sharilyn, grandsons, Kevin and wife Tiffany, Aaron and wife Maegan, Ray, and Justin, great-grandchildren, Kennedie and Collin.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Cole, Aaron Cole, Ray Cole, Justin Cole, Taylor Loyd, and Robert Smith. Missing Man Formation will be flown by Dr. Wyche Taylor Coleman, III, Kevin Coleman, Gary Boucher, and Luke Lambard.

From our hearts, the Cole family would like to thank Dr. Wyche T. Coleman, Jr., Dr. Pat Peavy, Walter Cook, Randy Smith, Synergy Home Care Nurses Lisa Moffett and Halie Moore, Agape Hospice Nurse Elaine Honea and Chaplain Larry Bass, and the many friends who contributed to the support and loving care given to Marion and his family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Marion Cole Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Ouachita Independent Bank, 601 Fern Ave, Shreveport, LA 71105 or call (318) 459-3000.