- Date Of Death: May 24, 2018
- State: Indiana
Haldon (“Hal”) Turner Cole, Indianapolis, died peacefully in his home just after midnight on May 24, 2018, after an extended illness. Hal was a cherished husband, father, friend and educator, and lived a life filled with joy, optimism, and dedication. He was born on December 20, 1931, in Decatur, Illinois, to the late Aubrey and Zella Cole. He was the oldest of their three children.
He came to Indianapolis via a football scholarship to Indiana Central College (now University of Indianapolis) and attended from 1950-54, graduating with an Education degree. In 1953, the team experienced the college’s first undefeated football season, going 8-0, and this was an award and celebration that Hal cherished his entire life.
Hal began his career with Perry Township Schools in 1955, retiring in 1996. However, anyone that knew Hal knew that he was a lifelong educator and encourager. His many roles in Perry Township over those 41 years included: Teacher, Department Chairman, Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Director of Secondary Education, and Principal. He was a dedicated educator and strove for excellence for his students and staff members. His efforts were not overlooked and culminated in Southport Middle School being awarded a U.S. Department of Education School of Excellence Award in 1989, presented to Principal Hal Cole at the White House by President George H.W. Bush. His dedication to his craft of education was not overlooked by his friends and family, even to his death, as his entry to Heaven coincided with the last school day of the year for Perry Township. We have found great comfort and humor in this, as he would have wanted us to do.
Hal married his wife Joyce (Johnson) Cole in 1952 and they were married until her death in 2000. They had an eventful and full life, raising their two sons, Jeffery Alan, and Jay Lynd Cole. Jeffery died in 1988. Hal remarried in 2005, to Mary S. Marlin. Hal and Mary enjoyed several years of traveling and activities with family, friends, and neighbors.
Hal was enthusiastic about his wide range of interests: from vintage cars (and his beloved BMW convertibles) to boating, to volunteering at Second Helpings and Habitat for Humanity (Hurricane Katrina relief), to exercise, to vinyl music. He was a prolific reader, and he would be curious about what his friends were reading, and invite conversations about reading selections. He was frequently a book club member if not group leader. He was a longtime member of the Baxter YMCA and had served on their Board of Directors. He was an active alumnus of University of Indianapolis.
Left to celebrate Hal’s special spirit are his wife Mary, and son Jay, both of Indianapolis; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Heather and Craig Williams, Greenfield, IN; sisters Linda (Jim) Stone and Anita (Jim) Miller, both of Lincoln, IL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Janet Johnson, Pekin, IL; grandchildren Claire Williams, Ft. Huachuca, AZ; Hope Williams, Indianapolis; Grant Williams, West Point, NY; great-grandsons Chase and Brayden McMahan; several cousins. Hal leaves behind a multitude of friends and neighbors that will forever feel the impact of his kindness, wit and encouraging manner.
The family expresses their appreciation for the care and respect provided to Hal and his family by the health care providers of Seasons Hospice and caregiver Vic Kubwalo.
As we grieve this special man that God granted to us as a husband, father, and friend, we evoke the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi that Hal not only prayed every night, but indeed, lived every day: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
