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James P. Cole Jr., Lt. Colonel (Ret.), 82 died April 28, 2003 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 53 years,Clara; daughter, Christine Cole and family of Los Angeles and son, Edward Cole and family of Corrales. He was preceded in death by his son, James P. Cole III."JP" (to his friends and family) was born in New York City on December 6, 1920. He was an early high school graduate in 1936 and attended Columbia University the same year on scholarship. When scholarship money ran out in 1939, he became a pilot in the Army Air Corps. He answered a call for volunteers to join the Royal Air Force in 1940. He fought in the Battle of Britain becoming on of Churchill's"so few" that"were owed so much by so many." It was here that he few the fighter plane that he loved so much; the Spitfire. He rejoined the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 after America had entered the war. He fought the remainder of the war with the Eight Air Force flying a variety of fighters. After the war, JP finished his college degree at Columbia University. He remained in the Air Force in both active and reserve capacities until 1962. During that time, he flew some of the first Fighter jets and commanded a Search and Rescue squadron in the Pacific Northwest. JP was assigned at one point during this time to fly an airplane for Clark Gable in a movie. He was an insurance company executive in civilian life and was a Boy Scout scoutmaster of the local troop helping many boys grow into young men. His passions were his wife and family, reading and golf. A man of energy, warmth and dignity, he will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Graveside services will be held Friday, May 2, 2003, 11:00 a.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery, with Chaplain Lemuel Boyles, Col. USAF, (Ret.), officiating. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
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