Sherman Cole
OKLAHOMA CITY - Sherman Cole, who was known to many as “Sherm” and a lucky few as just “dad” or “pops” died on August 23, 2021, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His reward for a life of hard work, humbleness and kind humor was a long and fulfilling journey with close family and many enduring friends.
He was born “Franklin Sherman Cole” on September 3, 1932, in a house in Chelsea, Oklahoma, to Mabel Hall Cole and Vernon (“Vernie”) Cole. Mabel, who was Cherokee, endowed Sherman with the qualities of kindness, humor, quiet confidence, love of family, and immense pride of Native American heritage. Vernon, who was a machinist and Mason, gave Sherman his exceptional work ethic, steadfastness, strength of character, and value of education.
Mabel and Vernon raised Sherman and his brothers, Jimmie (“Sam”) Cole and Jerry Cole in Miami, Oklahoma. Sherman attended Miami High School where he played football and baseball and met the girl of his dreams, Diane Jarrett.
Sherman and Diane married on August 17, 1952, and would be married for over 60 years until her passing on October 25, 2014. He was by her side in sickness and in health, loving and caring for Diane until the very end.
Sherm came from humble beginnings and he lived the American Dream. He joined the U.S. Army on May 8, 1956, and was honorably discharged on June 10, 1962. He would attend the University of Oklahoma and become a Certified Public Accountant, practicing public accounting in Oklahoma City for over 60 years. Along the way, he made countless friends, enjoying weekly golf outings with a long list of buddies and Saturday morning breakfast with the guys at Shartel Cafe. The house on 40th Street in Crown Heights was his North Star, the place he made a “family home” surrounded by many loving neighbors.
Sherman is survived by son and daughter in law, Steve and Janna Cole, son, Richard Cole, granddaughter and husband, Jordan Cole Niemeyer and Grayson Niemeyer, great granddaughter Daphne Grace Niemeyer, granddaughter and husband, Elaine Cole Stringer and Samuel Stringer, and grandson, Carter Steven Cole. He also leaves behind countless other family members too numerous to list by name, including the Polittes, Wheelers, Corleys and Mitchells.
Services celebrating Sherman’s life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Smith & Kernke North May Chapel and live streamed through a link on their website: smithandkernke.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a remembrance gift to the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association.