| Sources |
- [S11] Ancestors are Forever, A Ridenour Collection from 893 to 1997 AD, Melvin Otho "Mo" Ridenour, (http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/e/i/James-A-Reitnauer/FILE/0001text.txt), 1260, 1 Jan 2000.
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 27 Feb 2009.
COLE, JOHN WILLIAM, SR. - passed away at Fort Sanders Hospital on February 25th. With strength and courage, he fought health complications for many years. His strength came from God, his family, and years of bricklaying, something which brought him joy and pride. John was a family man. He married his best friend, Alva Ruth Stooksbury Cole, in 1951 at First Baptist Church in Clinton. Alva, Doofie, passed away five years ago. John and Doofie had three children, John W. Cole, Jr.; Johanna Ruth Cole Whitley, and Jeff Cole. Their family grew with the addition of two daughters in law, Jess Anne Cole and Carol Cole and one son in law, Garry Whitley. John Cole was especially proud of his grandchildren, Garry Whitley, Jr., Jessie Fritts, Joey Sparks, Johnie Drew, Dallas Cole and great grandchildren, Cole Fritts, Casey Fritts, and Hannah Whitley. Family continued to grow with the addition of grand in laws, Angela Whitley, David Fritts, Brian Sparks, and Adam Drew. John was happiest when everyone was together. When John retired from bricklaying, he continued to work with his hands. He built a woodshop and made furniture for family members. John loved to work. In fact, it is hard to go to many construction sites and not find someone who remembers working with John. It is hard to drive very far and not pass a building with a bit of John Cole masonry on it. He trained and started the careers of at least twenty masons, which gave them a trade for life. John also loved his community. He was a member of the Clinton Jaycees and Clinton Optimist Clubs for many years. John Cole was born in McKayesville, Georgia to Ada Sarah Turner and Olin L. Cole. He was the youngest child and had two sisters, Betty Cole Muir and Hazel Cole Kennedy; and two brothers, Olin L. Cole, Jr. (Bud) and Charles Cole (Dugger). John was blessed with many caring family members; he loved all of his many nieces and nephews, especially Brenda and Jerry Holbrook. He also had so many special friends, Claude and Susie McCuiston, Judge Jennings and Phyllis Meredith, Burt Fox Jennings, and D.B. Williams. He also loved his Car Club friends, they were wonderful to stay in touch with him after he became too ill to visit with them. The family would like to thank everyone who helped take excellent care of John and his family during his illness. Mary Ann Bullock was his dedicated and thoughtful caretaker. The office staff of Clinton Family Physicians, Dr. Culbert and Nurse Cathy treated John as a friend, not just a patient. Ministers Stan Elliot, Jim Bumgardener, and Fr. Joe Minarik helped John and his family with countless visits and faithful prayer. Services for John Cole are at First Baptist Church in Clinton. Receiving of friends and family will be Friday, February 27, 2009 from 5 - 7.30 p.m. Stan Elliot will conduct the funeral service at 7:30 p.m. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2009. John was a member of the First Baptist church for most of his life. "No man needs sympathy because he has to work. Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt. John took the prize. He lived and worked hard at the things he loved. For more information concerning John's life and family please visit www.johnwilliamcole.com
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