John A. Cole
LAMPASAS - Longtime Texas banker and rancher, John A. Cole of Lampasas, died December 24, 2023, in Dallas at the age of 92.
John was born September 2, 1931, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Hazel M. Kelly and Earl E. Cole. He graduated from Classen High School before earning his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Geological Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1954 and 1956, respectively. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University in 1958 and was a graduate of Columbia University’s Banking School and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He also lectured at the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU.
In 1958, John joined Cities Service Oil Company as an engineer.
His long career in banking began in 1961 when he joined Texas Bank and Trust in Dallas as an engineer in the Oil Department. He later became involved in energy and commercial lending.
In 1974, John moved to Houston to join Texas Commerce Bank (now part of J.P. Morgan Chase) as Vice President in the Energy Division. Two years later, he became Manager of the Correspondent Banking Division. When he retired from the bank in 1993, John had served in several management positions in the Energy, Financial, and Commercial Loan Divisions.
During his banking career, he was active in the American Bankers Association and the Texas Bankers Association, and was an active fundraiser for educational institutions as well as various civic endeavors. He served as director and trustee for public, private, and non-profit corporations. He was particularly interested in the Houston Symphony and served for many years as Treasurer of Trees for Houston and the Houston Regional Science Fair.
He was a trustee of the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (now TIRR Memorial Herman) and served as Treasurer of its Foundation. He was a member of Brook Hollow Golf Club, Houston Club, Tarry House, and was a lifetime member of the Society of Sigma Xi.
In 1991, John married Amy W. “Mimi” Campbell, a native of Lampasas. Following his retirement from Texas Commerce Bank in Houston, the couple moved to Lampasas in 1993 where John began his 30-year career as a rancher. During this period, he was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and was a valued member of its finance committee.
He also assumed several active roles in Lampasas civic affairs. He served three terms on the Lampasas City Council and was named Mayor Pro Tempore. He also served as a board member of the Lampasas Economic Development Corporation, the Central Texas Water Supply Corporation, and the Lampasas Association for the Arts. He was active in the Texas Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America and served on its board. In recognition for his service to the Boy Scouts, he was awarded the Order of the Silver Beaver. He was also a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory.
An art connoisseur, John amassed a collection that reflected his fondness for English prints. His wide-ranging interests extended to sports cars and his ownership of a 1965 Morgan Plus 4 that he had restored in England. He enjoyed membership in Morgan owners groups in Houston and Central Texas.
John was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James R. Cole, and a sister, Geraldine Cole Campbell.
He is survived by his wife, niece and nephews, Russell B. Cole, Randall E. Cole, John W. Campbell (Gerry), Kent A. Campbell (Bonnie), Kathryn A. Campbell, Jill E. Dickens ( Jay), Janine M. Bittner ( Jim) and former wife, Ann Cook Cole.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ganesh V. Raj, and all of the caring doctors and staff of UT Southwestern, New Century Hospice, Richard Rodriguez, Tammie Bush, Elderly Care by Debbie, the Highland Park Department of Public Safety and John’s devoted caregivers, Crystal Anderson, Valerie Jackson, Sherri Stinnett and especially Joyce Houston for their compassion and loving care.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Lampasas on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11 am with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Following the burial there will be a reception in the Parish Hall at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 29, Lampasas, TX, 76550, The Library Foundation of Lampasas, 201 South Main, Lampasas, TX, 76550 or to support interstitial lung disease research at UT Southwestern Medical, c/o Southwestern Medical Foundation, 3838 Maple Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, TX, 75219.