John Ray Cole, age 73, passed away on February 1, 2012 at his home. He was born on December 29, 1938, in Oklahoma City, OK., to the late John Chester and Elizabeth (Fincher) Cole. He graduated from Crooked Oak High School where he also was in the Civil Air Patrol. John was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he started as a laboratory technician, then taught Medical Laboratory, then joining the Physician’s Assistant program through the USAF and the University of Nebraska. John was the first Physician’s Assistant in Springfield where he was employed by Smith-Glynn-Calloway Clinic, St. Johns Health Systems and the Veterans Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was instrumental in getting the first legislation passed through the MO Legislature for P.A.’s. John was an avid wood worker and he took great pride in being a blood donor for over 50 years.
John is survived by his wife, of 53 years, Beverly Cole, a daughter Cheryl Ann Cole, a son John W. Cole and his wife Rita Cole, grandchildren Sean Cole and Hayley Cole and a sister Carol Sue Cash, of Dallas, TX. John was a loving husband, father, and proud grandfather. He is loved and will be missed.
A private graveside service at Missouri Veterans Cemetery will be at a later date. Services have been entrusted in Greenlawn Funeral Home South.