James Lewis Cole

James Lewis Cole died on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in New Castle. Born Jan. 19, 1938 in New Castle, he was a son of Lloyd L. and Mabel Gribbins Cole. He married Dr. Virginia Adelaide Meador on Nov. 29, 1964.

Cole was educated in the New Castle school system and was a 1956 graduate of New Castle High School. Majoring in history and political science, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from New Mexico Highlands University. Cole was recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the university in 1998. He served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963 and was stationed with the 508th Airborne Unit at Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone. After returning to New Castle, he worked, managed, or owned Bealls Clothing Store for 30 years.

Cole was well-acquainted with the New Castle community. He served as a two-term president of the New Castle Chamber of Commerce; was a four-term president of the Downtown Merchants Association; was elected president of the New Castle Jaycees in 1969 and 1972; and received the Jaycees’ Distinguished Service Award and Outstanding Young Man Award.

He was involved in numerous civic and fraternal organizations. He served as chairman of the Citizens’ Non-partisan Committee for selecting school board members. Cole also was a member of the Elks Lodge and chairperson of its board of trustees; a member of the Y.M.C.A. and its board of directors; the Rotary Club and its board of directors; and the board of directors for the Henry County United Way. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, the Eagles, the Henry Youth Council, and the American Legion. In addition to his Rotary involvement, he began the club’s 50th and 60th anniversary luncheon program for New Castle.

In the primary election of 1991, Cole won the Republican Party nomination for New Castle mayor. He was president of New Castle City Parks and Recreation Board as well as president of the Aquatic Center at Baker Park Board. Cole also was president of the Henry County Public Defender Board. He also served on the board of directors for the Area 6 East Central Indiana Workforce Investment Board.

Active in the New Castle school system throughout his life, he was the charter president of the New Castle High school Alumni Association. Cole headed the organization’s homecoming activities in 1990 and 1995 and created the group’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He established the school’s alumni time capsule project. Cole founded and was a member of the board of directors for the Fabulous 50’s board. He also created the first Old-Timers Basketball game in Dec. 13, 1967. The New Castle High School Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee named Cole as a member.

He was preceded in death by his wife and an older brother, Edmond Lloyd Cole and brother-in-law, Mike Winchester.

Cole is survived by a daughter, Tanya Sean Cole; three step-children, John (Teresa) Hunter, Dr. W. Alexandra “Sandy” (the late Jimmy) Barker and Mary (Eugene) Gwin; two grandchildren, Aleisha Adelaide (Donovan) Davis and Captain Alexander Gwin; two great-grandchildren, Kolhson and Keane Davis; a sister, Madonna Cole Winchester; two nephews, Steve and Aaron Winchester; and a niece Ashleih Cauble; and several great nieces and nephews.

Services for Cole will be at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Hinsey Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Visitation will be from 3 – 6 p.m. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Rotary Club of New Castle, P.O. Box 1012, New Castle, IN 47362. You may express condolences or share a memory of Cole at www.hinsey-brown.com .