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CHAMPION -- Jack Wilbur Cole passed away unexpectedly at home on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.
Jack was born Sept. 8, 1938, in Warren, to Wilbur Leo Cole and Vivian D. Kale Cole.
He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School with the class of 1956 and went on to live a life defined by service, hard work, family, curiosity and kindness.
Jack proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Perch submarine. After his military service, he devoted 38 years to Thomas Steel Strip Corporation, retiring in 2001. His years of work were a reflection of the dedication and determination he brought to everything he did.
Jack was a man who enjoyed keeping his mind and his hands busy. He loved Sudoku and puzzles, Civil War history, following the stock market and caring for his properties. He enjoyed metal detecting and searching for something interesting beneath the surface. He especially enjoyed the 12 winters he and Donna spent in Arizona, where he could roam the desert on his quad and enjoy the freedom of exploring.
Service and community were also important parts of Jack's life. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 2 through the Methodist Church and proudly worked toward becoming an Eagle Scout. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Warren, and was also a member of the NRA, Warren Gun Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Gold Prospectors of America.
But of all the things Jack accomplished, perhaps none was more meaningful than the life he built with his wife, Donna Jean Kemp Cole. Jack and Donna shared 62 years of marriage. Together, they built not only a family but also their family home. They created that home together, with their own hands and hearts, making it a place where their family could grow and where countless memories would be made. That home became more than four walls and a roof--it became a lasting reflection of the life and love they built side by side. Jack was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Donna; his son, Lance Cole and Lance's wife, Laura; and his three grandchildren, Samuel, Aaron and Natalie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Vivian Cole; his sister, Sally Sue Lane; and his daughter, Ramona.
He had made his wishes clear: Jack did not want services or calling hours. He simply wanted to be remembered as a good and kind man. So that is how we will remember him.
Remember the sailor who served his country. Remember the husband who spent 62 years beside the woman he loved. Remember the man who helped build a home and a family. Remember the father and grandfather whose family was at the heart of his life. Remember the man wandering the Arizona desert on his quad, always curious about what he might discover. Remember his love of history, puzzles, exploration, hard work and the simple things that brought him happiness. Most of all, remember the goodness and kindness he brought into the lives of the people who knew him. A life does not have to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes the greatest legacy a person can leave is simply this: He was a good man. He was a kind man. And he was loved. Jack Cole was all three. With love and remembrance, for Donna and the family who shared his life.
Please visit www.oakmeadowcremation.com to send condolences to the family.
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