James R. Cole

James R. “Jim” Cole, age 84, of Oklahoma City Passed away December 26, 2013. Jim was born March 8, 1929 to Earl E. Cole and Hazel Kelly Cole. He attended Oklahoma City public schools, Oklahoma Military Academy and Classen High School (1948). After duty in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, Jim graduated from the University of Oklahoma (1957). Jim was involved in the insurance industry for 35 years. He was the majority shareholder/owner of Cole Paine and Carlin Insurance Agency and its predecessor Mashburn Cole. In 1979 he served as President of the Oklahoma Independent Insurance Agents Association. In 1970-71 he served as President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Greater Oklahoma City. For 22 years Jim served on the Insurance Placement Committee for the City of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County. He served on the Advertising Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of America in the early 70’s. Jim was Chairman of the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust twice and served as a Director and Executive Committee member of the Oklahoma Zoological Society. He served as the President and a Director of the Lyric Theatre. Other organizational Presidencies were the State Wildlife Range and the Oklahoma City Ski Club. Jim was a long term member of the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. Other social memberships included: Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, Petroleum Club, Beacon Club, Mayfair Club, Colony Club, Oklahoma City Boat Club, Men’s Dinner Club and the Downtown Lions Club. Civic activities included: YMCA, United Way and the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra. He is preceded in death by his wife Dean A. Cole. Survivors include: sons Russell B. Cole and Randall E. Cole, granddaughter Kelly A. Cole, brother John A. “Bud” Cole (Mimi) and sister Geraldine C. Campbell (John). Other survivors include: Mark Antonio and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations can be made to the Oklahoma Zoological Society at P.O. Box 18424, Oklahoma City, OK 73154. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 1, 2014 in the Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel at 6600 Broadway Extension. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park.