Jerry Cole of Blue Springs, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, July 18, 2025, at his home.
Jerry was born on June 3, 1932, in Gravity, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Joreen McColm of Gravity on August 17, 1953. They were married for 71 years. Jerry graduated from Northwest Missouri State College, where he played football for the Bearcats. During his college years, he was drafted and served for the United States Army during the Korean certificate. Jerry was a member of the 1952 football team that was inducted into the Northwest Missouri State Hall of Fame in 1990.
Jerry moved to Richmond in 1957 to teach industrial Arts at the high school. He also coached basketball and football. Touching the lives of many students during that time. He was inducted into the Richmond Spartans Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jerry retired in 1986 after 30 years of teaching and coaching. His favorite things in retirement were making furniture, home improvements, watching his grandkids play sports and keeping up with all sports: high school, college, the Royals and Chiefs. He will be missed by his family, his many friends, and his dog, Baxter.
Survivors include: his wife, Jo Cole, of the home; son, Jedd Cole and wife Sharon of Blue Springs Missouri, and their three daughters, Sara (Jordan) Bles, Lauren (Mike) Hurt and Anna Cole, all of Blue Springs, Missouri; daughter, Jane and husband Corry Maguire of Orlando, Florida and their two children, daughter Abby Maguire of Arcata, California, and son Cole (Deidre) Maguire of Paragould, Arkansas; son, Jay and wife Amy Cole of Roach, Missouri, and their three children, Chance (Ally) Cole of Smithville, Missouri, Katie (Colby) Brown of Memphis, Missouri, and Jack (Emma) Cole of Columbia, Missouri. In addition to his eight grandchildren, he was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the United Methodist Church of Richmond or the Richmond R-16 Athletic Department. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
Visitation with memorial services will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Richmond, with visitation beginning at 9:30 A.M., with services to follow at 10:30 A.M. Inurnment will follow services in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville. Please remember to share your memories of Jerry with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
