James Cole

James Fairfax Cole passed to eternal rest on June 24, 2017.

Mr. Cole was born on January 30, 1918 in Littleton, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII and received the bronze star for meritorious service.

He received a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from LSU and subsequently a M.S. in Medical Social Work from Tulane University. He married Mary Eleanor McLure of Shreveport in October, 1951 in a love match that lasted sixty-three years until her death in 2015. Mr. Cole began his career as a social worker assisting the blind in North Louisiana, and then worked for the State of Louisiana in Baton Rouge as a Medical Social Worker for thirty years. As the Assistant Welfare Medical Services Director, he received the Charles E. Dunbar Career Service Award for exceptional service to the Department of Health and Human Resources. He was an unremitting, dedicated and selfless advocate for those people in Louisiana who needed but could not afford medical services. He and Mary Eleanor were members of University United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge for fifty years, where they formed many enduring friendships. They were active contributors of service to the church and stalwarts in the Sunday School Joy Class . Mr. Cole was a hospital visitor and member of the Care Committee for the church into his nineties. He left Baton Rouge in November 2016 to move to Lambeth House assisted living in New Orleans, where he was a resident until his death. Mr. Cole had an amazing memory, vital mind and spirit, a wonderful knack for storytelling, and an unflagging interest in, and love for his family and friends. He loved fishing and hunting and took up skeet shooting in his eighties. His family was extraordinarily blessed by having a loving and independent father, who lived a generous, honorable and faithful life for all of his ninety-nine years.

He is survived by his son Dr. John T. Cole and, his daughter Professor Natalie B. Cole, his grandchildren Hollis Cole Henry, Gordon Alexander Cole and Emma Claire Cole, daughter-in-law Dr. Lois Mailander, his brother William Cole (Betty), nephew Thomas Cole (Catherine) and great-nephew Will Cole.

Services will be held on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 11:00 AM at University United Methodist Church (UUMC), 3350 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Luncheon to follow in Fellowship Hall at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to UUMC.

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