Jack Terry Cole, born on October 9, 1942 in Bellingham, Washington, passed away on November 2, 2024. Known for his devotion to others, Jack dedicated his life to helping people in his profession as well as personal life.
Jack served his country from 1960 to 1968 in the U.S. Marine Corps reserves. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Washington University and worked as an elementary school teacher in Burlington, Washington from 1966 to 1968. In 1966 he married Martha Trefren, who was also an educator. In 1968 they embarked on an adventure and taught at an international school in Valencia, Venezuela. After a year, they traveled around South America, beginning a lifelong interest in travel. They returned to Washington where Jack obtained an M.Ed. in school counseling and school psychology. Both served in the Burlington Edison School District until 1974 when Jack entered a doctoral program in special education at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. ln 1976 Jack graduated with a Ph.D. in Special Education and Developmental Disabilities. In 1976 Jack and Martha moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico where Jack joined the faculty at NMSU and started the first program in special education focusing on teacher training, later serving as Associate Dean of the College of Education. Jack remained at NMSU until 1996 when he retired as Professor Emeritus. Jack touched many lives – students, colleagues, and public-school teachers. He was always willing to spend time with students, mentoring and working to raise the expertise of special educators who served the local school districts in the state of New Mexico. He was honored with numerous awards for service to special education programs and teachers.
Concurrently with his professional career in education Jack served as an owner and board member of his family grocery business, Brown & Cole, Inc., based in Bellingham, Washington.
In 1983 he took a sabbatical at the University of Keele, in England. With his wife Martha he wrote two books on language development as well as numerous scholarly articles in educational journals.
During his retirement years Jack and Martha continued to travel in Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia and the Middle East, visiting over 40 countries in their travels.
Jack was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ramona and Jack Cole. Those left to mourn his passing include his wife of 58 years Martha Cole, brother-in-law Jim Trefren, brothers Craig Cole and wife Sue, Richard Cole and his wife Denise, Ronald Cole and his wife Thea, and George Cole. Special nieces include Maddy Day, Shanna Cole, Christina Cole, Jacquelyn Cole, Stephanie Compton and Janna Gilkison, and nephews James Cole, and Luke Cole. Special friends include Ray Benavidez, Drs. Jesus and Ornella Figueredo and children Jose, Andrea, Antonella, and Angelo.
After cremation Jack will be interred in his family plot in Bellingham, Washington, where family services will be held.
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