Jerry H. Cole, a lifelong resident of Tuckerman, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 78. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and friend to all who knew him. He was born at home on January 8, 1942, to parents Abe and Gladys (Ussery) Cole. He loved to tell the story of his birth and how the town doctor arrived at the house right as he was born. Abe and Gladys had little money, so Abe scratched an I.O.U. out on a piece of wood for the doctor as a promise for payment. Jerry would also be quick to tell you he shared his birthday with the King – Elvis Presley, of course.
Jerry was a 1960 graduate of Tuckerman High School and a member of the First Baptist Church. After graduation, he chose to serve his country as part of the U.S. Army Reserves. Once he received his Honorable Discharge in 1967, he returned home to Tuckerman and pursued his love of racing stock cars on the dirt track. He even shared the track with NASCAR legend Mark Martin. Jerry had the chance to meet Mark many years later and show him a photo of when the two were both on the track and Jerry was ahead. Mark smiled and remembered the moment, autographed a poster for him and they had a great time reminiscing.
As a career, Jerry gained his master plumber license (MP2389) and completed hundreds of service calls for his local community over the years. He also used those skills to travel across the United States as a pipefitter and superintendent for large-scale construction efforts. If you happen to travel with Jerry near any house or commercial property he completed, he would share a story about it.
Jerry and his wife Libby built their life in Tuckerman, enjoying working on home improvement projects and spending time relaxing on their back porch. They created cherished family memories, particularly when camping and fishing. Jerry had more than one story of having to take care of his “girls” while fishing, but nothing made him prouder than to see his wife or daughter snag a fish – even if it meant he had to sacrifice his own fishing time. Their only daughter, Makala or “Callie,” settled in the Fort Worth, Texas, area which led the two to relocate once they retired.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jimmy Cole; one sister, Billie Ann Stewart; nephews, Terry Hembrey and Todd Cole; and niece, Tracey Cole.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Libby (Hancock) Cole; daughter Makala “Callie” Cole Pollard and her husband Brett of Fort Worth, Texas; and his “adopted daughter” as he sweetly referred to her, Dustee McKinney Russell and her husband Jamie of Pottsboro, Texas; mother-in-law, Edith Hancock of Tuckerman, Arkansas; sister-in-law Kathy Howard and husband Eugene of Newport, Arkansas; sister-in-law Shirley Cole of Tuckerman, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Josh Pollard of Dallas, Texas, Nathan Pollard of Arlington, Texas, and Shelby Pollard of Fort Worth, Texas; niece, Stephanie Cole Washam and her husband Donnie of Tuckerman, Arkansas; niece, Megan Doyle and husband Justin of Newport, Arkansas; nephew Rodney Head and wife Kristie of Paragould, Arkansas; nephew, Greg Hembrey; great nieces Reagan and Sadie Washam, Chelsea Potter, Heather Hembrey Penix, Whitney Hembrey, Holly Head, Abbie Head, Katie Head, Karie Head and MacKenzie Doyle; great nephews Ben Washam, Andy Head, Alan Cole and Sam Doyle.
Due to the high number of COVID-19 cases, there will be no service at this time but a possible memorial in the fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jackson County Humane Society in Jerry’s name. You can make donations by accessing this link. Or you can mail a check to: Jackson County Human Society, PO Box 154, Newport, Arkansas 72112.