James B. Cole

James Brian Cole laid down his earthly arms on April 13, 2024 to take his heavenly place with our Lord and Savior. He will be forever a soldier, eternally a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and beloved friend, and evermore a pillar to each community and association to which he belonged. Jim’s endearing smile and larger than life personality will be greatly missed by people near and far. Anyone who knew Jim well knew he loved his God, his Country, and his Family.

Born in Laurinburg, North Carolina on January 11 in 1943 as James Ray Griffin to the late Francis Bogart and Ray Griffin. Jim graduated from high school in Laurel Hill, North Carolina and enlisted in the United States Army in 1961 until 1965. Jim served his Country with pride as a member of the 1st Special Forces Group with a deployment to Okinawa, and later with the Special Operations Group (Combined Studies Division) in Vietnam. Initially a communications operator, Jim was selected to become a medical specialist.

In life beyond the United States Army, Jim settled in northeast Ohio where he worked two jobs while attending Baldwin Wallace College. It was not long before he jumped at the opportunity to return to Vietnam as a civilian medic working for a prominent U.S. contractor, RMK-BRJ, until 1972, and later moving to Zaire with his then-wife, Danielle Lusinchi, and their son, Christian, where Jim served as Medical Director for Constructeurs Inga-Shaba’s small hospital.

In 1976, Jim permanently settled in the U.S. with his family, and acquired a small pressure gauge business. Over the years that followed, he grew NOSHOK, Inc. into a significant industrial instrumentation manufacturing business headquartered in Berea, Ohio with sales and distribution extending across the world. When he was not traveling and excelling as an entrepreneur, Jim lovingly raised his youngest children, Christian and Jamie.

After his retirement from NOSHOK, Inc., Jim’s community involvement sky-rocketed, and he became actively involved with Chapter XXXV of the Special Forces Association. Jim hosted numerous events in the community, engaging local businesses to support the underserved population of veterans in Northeast Ohio. Recognized for his passion and achievements, the Ohio Veteran of the Year Award was renamed The Christian G. Girard/James B. Cole Award in 2011, the USO of Northern Ohio established The James B. Cole Annual Award of Excellence in 2012, and in 2012, Jim became a lifetime honorary member of the Fairview Park, Ohio Shrine Club. Featured in numerous articles and interviews for his contributions and accomplishments, Jim left a permanent footprint in both Northeast Ohio and at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

Jim’s favorite past times included writing his memoirs, reminiscing with and entertaining friends, reading, and laying in the sunshine for as many hours as possible. Jim followed his daily devotional and spoke often of his prayers to God. In his earlier years, Jim was an avid hiker, a frequent golfer, and an experienced black belt in Shorin Ryu and Hap Ki Do, as well as proficient in other martial arts. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Jim volunteered countless hours of his time teaching martial arts to his youngest son, Christian, and several others at no charge to them. Even in the final days of his earthly battle, Jim never stopped riding his stationary bicycle or lifting weights in his basement.

Jim leaves to mourn his beloved friend and caretaker, Julie Leung, and his loving sister, Carol Jean MacFarland, both of whom stayed by his side while he valiantly fought his final battle. His legacy carries on with his children and grandchildren: Ray Owen (Tryon, NC, married to Lisa) and his children Ashley, Matthew, Forrest, Jamie, Chester and Rachel; Steve Owen (Bluffton, SC, married to Cindy) and his children Ashley, Derek, Ricky, Tessa and Ross; Andrea Laune (Nashville, TN); Dorothy Buell Melloy (Albuquerque, NM); Christian Cole (Avon, OH, married to Danielle) and his children Chandler and Daphne; Jamie Cole (Raleigh, NC) and her children Zachary and Madeleine. Jim is also survived by his nephew Bryan MacFarland, cousins, fellow soldiers, and the many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances he positively impacted around the world. He was preceded in death by his best friend, Christian G. Girard.

Jim was known far and wide for his intellect, compassion, humor and wit. He will truly be missed in the community in Northeast Ohio, as a charter member and past-president of Special Forces Association Chapter XXXV, and across his social and professional networks throughout the world.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 10, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the VFW Post 9871 with a Buffet from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, 6805 Lear Nagle Road in North Ridgeville.

NO FLOWERS.  The family request a donation be made here:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-in-memory-of-james-b-cole.  The funds will be given to the Special Forces Association, Chapter XXXV of Cleveland.

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