James Kenneth Cole's Obituary
James Kenneth Cole, 91 of Tulsa, passed away October 5, 2023 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
On July 1, 1932, James was born at North Plains Hospital in Borger, Texas to Charles DeVant Cole and Ruby Inez (Green) Cole. He skipped the fourth grade while living in Texas. In 1946, the family moved to Huttig, Arkansas where his father was born and raised. James played on the basketball team for Huttig High School with his friend Floyd Cramer, later the famous pianist. In 1949, James at the age of 16 graduated as salutatorian in his class at Huttig High School.
In October 1951, James enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served as a Personnel Specialist at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. James attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in September 1955.
On August 3, 1961, James graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University) in Ruston, Louisiana. Following graduation, he worked for Texas Eastern Transmission Company in Shreveport, Louisiana as a Chemical Engineer. In 1963, Texas Eastern sent him to Pennsylvania to work on a pipeline.
On July 26, 1963, James met Katherine Ruth Bitz on a blind date near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. On October 23, 1963, James and Ruth were married in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. James was raised a Baptist and became a Lutheran after marrying Ruth. The couple moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where James continued to work for Texas Eastern. In 1965, the couple and their infant son moved to Ruston, Louisiana for James to continue his education at Louisiana Tech. In August 1965, James graduated with a Master of Science from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. After graduation, the family moved to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
In February 1966, James was employed by Sun Oil Company (later Sun Company and Sunoco) as a chemical engineer at the Marcus Hook Refinery in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. James was later transferred to work in downtown Philadelphia for Sun Oil Company. While working in Philadelphia for Sun Oil Company, James had three business trips to Monrovia, Liberia and several trips to Canada. The family lived in Wilmington, Delaware when James was working for Sun Oil Company in Pennsylvania. The family increased by two daughters while living in Wilmington.
In August 1978, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where James worked in Processing Engineering at the Tulsa Refinery for Sun Company. James retired from Sun Company on December 1, 1990. He then worked for John Brown Engineering in Tulsa. James then worked as an independent contractor for Sun Company until the late 1990s.
James was licensed with the Louisiana Professional Engineering & Land Surveying Board (LAPELS). He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
James was a wonderful husband, father, and granddad. He was witty and loved to make people smile. James was generous. He never met a stranger. He loved helping his children with their math and science homework. Although James was a football fan, tennis and golf were his favorite sports to watch. He was an avid reader. James acquired an interest in history from his wife Ruth. The family visited many historical places including four vacations to Colonial Williamsburg.
James was the eleventh generation of his family born in America. Stephen Hopkins of Jamestown and the Mayflower was his 10th great-grandfather. James was descended from 19 verified patriots in the American Revolution.
James was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Ruth; parents Charles DeVant Cole and Ruby Inez (Green) Cole; sisters Betty Jean (Cole) Dunn and Bobbie Josephine (Cole) Krause; brothers Charles Edward Cole and Jesse Boyd Cole. His sister Nora Inez Cole passed away in November 1928 at the age of six years.
James is survived by his daughters Susan R. Cole and Katherine A. Burnett (Bryan); son James K. Cole, Jr. (Marie); granddaughter Bridgette A. Burnett; grandson Andrew B. Burnett; and brother Arlon Leroy Cole.
The visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 12:30 PM, Friday, October 13, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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