James L. Cole, Sr.

SHREVEPORT, LA - Services for Mr. James L. Cole, Sr., 78, will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St. in Shreveport, LA. Officiating will be Rev Kris Chenier, of Trinity Heights Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery West, in Shreveport. Visitation with family and friends will be Friday, April 24, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

James, surrounded by family and friends, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015 after a lengthy illness. He was a lifelong resident of Shreveport where he graduated from Fair Park High School in 1954. After 31 years of service as a locomotive engineer, he retired from KCS Railroad. Mr. Cole was a member of the Blanchard Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and El Karubah Shrine. He was active with the Shrine Circus and served as a guide at the Shriners Childrens Hospital Shreveport. His hobbies included playing the harmonica, fishing, stain glass, and traveling.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Acker and Arnie Cole.

Left to cherish his beautiful memory are his loving wife of 60 years, Virginia Cole; daughters, Deb Oxner and husband, Jim; Danette Cole, and Amanda Harmon; son, James Cole, Jr.; sister, Margie Wright and husband, Leroy and five grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the El Karubah Shriners - Alibaba Unit.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of The Promise Hospital of Bossier City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital.