Francis Hammond Cole III

MEMPHIS - Francis Hammond Cole, III died on February 14, 2024 after battling end stage renal disease. Hammond was born on September 19, 1970 to Dr. Francis Hammond Cole, Jr and Kay Lohmann Cole in Pensacola Beach, FL. Hammond was a graduate of All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He then attended Centenary College in Shreveport, LA before returning to reside in Memphis. Hammond was a member of the Boy Scouts and participated in church athletics. Hammond was an avid sports fan; he was particularly loyal to Vanderbilt University and the University of Memphis. As a longtime season ticket holder for Memphis Tiger football, Hammond was very familiar with the agony of defeat but he never gave up on the Tigers. Hammond met his wife Virginia “Claire” Cole as childhood friends in Memphis. Hammond and Claire were married in 2005 and are the parents of William Francis Cole, 17, and Samuel Otto Cole, 13.

Hammond was preceded in death by his parents, F. Hammond Cole Jr. and Kay Lohmann Cole. He is survived by his wife, Claire, and their two children, William and Otto. He is survived by his two siblings, Melinda “Mindy” Cole Pillow (Kenny) of Decatur, GA, and Charles Andrew Cole (Rana) of Munford, TN. He also leaves five nieces and nephews, Jackson and Madelyn “Maddie” Pillow of Decatur, GA, and Landon, Lauren and Liam Cole of Munford, TN. He is survived by his inlaws, Robbie and Rose Meri Hurt of Southaven, MS and his brother-in-law, Will (Michelle) Hurt of Memphis, TN. He is also survived by his two aunts, Elizabeth “Betsy” Cole Beldner (Larry) of Charleston, SC, and Mary Elinor “Mamel” Cole Mccain (Shellie) of Memphis as well as by many cousins.

Canale Funeral Directors is handling the arrangements. A memorial service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on March 22, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations in Hammond’s memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.