John Leslie Cole, age 81, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia. He was born August 31, 1944, in Forrest City, the son of the late John Floyd and Dorothy Byford Cole, Jr.
John was a 1963 graduate of Austin E Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, AK and he attended Henderson State University. He was a courtesy Clerk and assistant manager for Brookshires Grocery Store in Arkadelphia. John was a member of First Baptist Church of Curtis. He enjoyed travel, but most of all his work was like a hobby to John because he enjoyed the people so much.
People who spent much time with John were sure to hear tales of Alaska, the Northern Lights, the never-ending daylight, and the giant cabbages. If he wasn’t talking about Alaska, he was probably regaling them with stories about jumping out of an airplane (twice!), riding camels in Florida, or maybe it would be some other adventure of a lifetime like riding in a hot-air balloon. Most of all, no one escaped hearing about his “beautiful” wife and how much he loved her. Even without people knowing her personally, she was well-known and well-respected because she was “Mr. Cole’s wife”. Never was a woman better-loved and cared for.
John was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Terry Lee Gillaspie.
Survivors are his wife, Patricia K. Cole of Arkadelphia, one son, John L. Cole, Jr. (Marion) of Dupont, WA, one brother, Frank Cole (Susan) of West Memphis, one sister, Nancy Woodell (Dickie) of West Memphis, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Welch Funeral Home with Pastors Jeffery Murphy, Rick Hyde and Phillip Runyan officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Curtis, P.O. Box 115, Curtis, AR 71728.
Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia. Visit http://www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.
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