Gary A. Cole
Gary A. Cole, age 83, a longtime rural Crestline area resident, died peacefully Sunday afternoon, September 22, 2024 at the Bluebird Retirement Community in Marysville. His death follows an eight-month battle with cancer.
Born November 6, 1940 in Shelby to the late Donald W. and Rachael V. (Keller) Cole, Gary graduated in 1958 from Tiro High School. Continuing his education, Gary earned a bachelor’s degree in vocational agriculture in 1962 from The Ohio State University and ultimately a master’s degree in natural science from The University of Oklahoma in 1969. Beginning his teaching career at Mansfield City Schools, 30 of his 33-year career was at Shelby High School where he taught earth science. Always keeping students engaged in the sciences, Mr. Cole took many students on hiking field trips at Hocking Hills and would meet students at the school at night so they could explore astronomy using the school’s large telescope. Many students will remember Mr. Cole for his well-known talent of being able to draw a perfect circle on the chalkboard with great speed and without lifting the chalk from the board. Always engaged in Shelby athletics, he kept score and stats for the Whippet basketball program and wrote the computer programs for recording football and basketball statistics for the entire Northern Ohio League. He remained a dedicated Whippet fan until the very end. Mr. Cole retired in 1995 from his teaching career.
However, retirement did not last long for Gary. It was in 1997 that he ran for public office and was elected to serve as the Crawford County Treasurer- a role which he held for 20 years. This role replaced his public service as the Vernon Township Clerk from 1979-1997. Throughout his second career, Gary was proud to be instrumental in starting the Land Bank program in Crawford County. Amongst many well-deserved professional awards and accolades, in 2014 Gary was named the Ohio County Treasurer of the Year from the State of Ohio and in 2016 the Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce named him Boss of the Year. At his retirement, the Mayor of the City of Bucyrus proclaimed September 1, 2017 “Gary Cole Day.”
Gary lived an active life of involvement, service, and support of numerous philanthropic organizations. A member of the Old Spokes Bicycle Club, the group not only rides, but also fixes bicycles and donates to those in need. Always supportive of the Crawford County 4-H program, in July of 2024 Gary was given the Friend of 4-H Award and was very proud to be inducted into the 2023 Shelby High School Hall of Distinction. He also supported the Bucyrus Backpack Program. Following his wife Helen’s death, Gary made sure to keep her memory alive by continuing to volunteer with organizations that meant so much to Helen, such as delivering Meals on Wheels and working the election polls. He was a longtime active member of the Calvary United Church of Christ in Crestline.
Gary happily married his wife of nearly 55 years, Helen F. (Bauer) Cole, on June 23, 1963. She passed on March 4, 2018. Additionally, his parents; stillborn sister: Janet Marie Cole; sister: Mary Ruth; and niece: Christina Minehart also preceded him in death. Surviving are his daughters: Kathy (Jim) Zaborowski of Cable and Amy (Scott) Reed of Cincinnati; grandchildren: Samantha Zaborowski, Jennifer Zaborowski, Cole Reed, and Grant Reed; sister: Carol (Jim) Minehart of Upper Sandusky; in-laws: Kathryn Leathem of Caledonia and Edna (John) Rooks of Clearwater, FL; numerous nieces and nephews, including his nephew, Tim Ruth, who Gary treated as a son as he was growing up; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Serving on the Board of Directors of the Crawford County Council on Aging and Crawford County Park District, Gary especially enjoyed volunteering at the local parks and was active in helping them succeed. Gary was proud to have been asked to pick a rock representing the Crawford County bedrock which is on display at the Geological Walk Through Time at the Ohio State Fairgrounds Natural Resources Park.
It should only be fitting that Gary’s services will take place at Lowe-Volk Park and Nature Center, 2401 SR 598, Crestline, OH 44827 on Sunday, October 13, 2024 (please note the exact date). Family will greet guests at the nature center building from 1-4 pm. For those who desire and are able, it is encouraged for guests to enjoy the entire park including the walking paths, waterways, exhibits, and hiking trails. Certainly, appropriate dress for outdoor activities is welcomed- come dressed in what makes you comfortable. Gary’s funeral services will take place following the visitation at the nature center building at 4 pm with Pastor Diane Thomas officiating. A meal for guests will immediately follow the services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following three organizations that meant so much to Gary: the Crawford County Park District, Crawford County Council on Aging, or The Shelby Foundation for a future scholarship fund. Contributions may be made at the services at Lowe-Volk Park and Nature Center or mailed to the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875.
The Penwell Funeral Home is proud to provide care to Gary and his family. Condolences may be left on Gary’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
To view Gary’s Tribute Video, click here: Gary A. Cole Tribute Video
RIH Uncle Gary!! An awesome guy!!
My condolences to his family. I was a student of Mr. Cole though science was not my favorite subject, I always found him to make it interesting. RIP
Angie Caudill
I enjoyed Earth Science in school, with Mr. Cole being “hands on”,as well as always peaking your interest. We talked many times through the years,about a Northern Lights sighting, or his class in school. He advised me as Crawford County Treasurer as well as being a regular customer of mine at both the Bucyrus and Shelby KFC restaurants. God Bless Gary Cole!
My sincere condolences to the family. My family knew his dad who drove the Tiro school bus and grew up with him. I knew him when he taught science classes at Shelby. He was and is an asset to his community and students! He also promoted the science fairs and project programs in the spring.
Condolences to his family. Mr. Cole was a great teacher and man! I enjoyed his Earth Science class and his quiet support in basketball . RIP Mr. Cole
Rest in peace Gary. A very very good man.
Sending much love and sympathy to you at this difficult time. Mr. Cole was always kind, funny, and engaging whenever we met at family events. He was so proud of his family. He was clearly a man of purpose and integrity and will be dearly missed!
Amy and Kathy…..deepest sympathy on the passing of your father and our friend. One of the finest men God ever put on this earth….so full of information, yet humble in sharing his great pool of knowledge….you are all lucky to have been blessed by his love. It seems right that he’s back with Helen. Lots of love to you all. Gary and Gretchen Blum.
I had the privledge ofknowing Gary, mostly thru the radio station WBCO/WQEL… Gery was a regular guest on the old Kaffee Klatsch program on WBCO, when Gary was county treasure…. Codolences to Gary’s family & friends… Sincerely Davey Jones
Condolences to the Cole family! Mr. Cole was one of my favorite teachers at SHS. His circles were definitely legendary, but more importantly he was a tremendous teacher. Appreciate all that he gave to SHS. We are all better for it!
Mr. Cole was my 9th grade science teacher at the old old high school downtown, in 1966-67. This was the last year that he taught general science and after that year it was called earth science. But, he taught the class like it was Earth Science, as I believe that was his passion. I was not a great high school student, but somehow Mr Cole helped me along and must have seen something in me that others had not. After spending time in the US Navy, i decided that my passion was to also become an earth science teacher, like my mentor, Mr Gary Cole. He allowed me to do a week of classroom observation while I was in college, and then I began my career of 40+ years as an earth science teacher and later substitute teacher in the Fairfield County area of Ohio. I would occasionally be able to get hold of Gary (its still hard to not call him Mr Cole) and finally in 2023 he met for for lunch in Shelby with the classes of 1970 and 1971 at their monthly luncheon. When he walked in people were so happy to see him. His “kids” all talked with him and I think he was very happy to see them. He remembered a lot of their names and it was a wonderful time for everyone. The last time a texted him, we chatted back and forth about the beach ridges of NW Ohio, which he did his Masters Thesis on. We were going to get together again to discuss it more detail, but alas, that did not happen. I am very grateful that a young man named Gary Cole took an interest in me almost 60 years, and helped me become the teacher I became. I will mis you Mr Cole, and keep drawing circles for everyone in heaven.
What a great guy. One of my favorite people. After graduating and working at the Bucyrus post office as a helper from another post office Gary came in and talked to me one day. He was such a role model for all that knew him.
What a wonderful teacher Mr. Cole was! Rest in peace ❤️
My deepest condolences to Gary’s family.
April Bowersock
Auglaize County Treasurer
Prayers for the family. Mr. Cole and family were a part of mine growing up and I have lots of wonderful memories. He will be missed by many.
I had Mr. Cole for Earth Science and thoroughly enjoyed his class, studying erosion,the big report at the end of the year,etc. We would talk when we bumped into each other. He gave me guidance as treasurer in Crawford County and became a regular customer at my KFC restaurants in Bucyrus & Shelby. After his wife passed ,he was alone at Wendy’s one evening,until we invited him to join my wife & I. God bless,Gary Cole.
To The Cole family
You are in my thoughts and prayers and have my deepest sympathy in your time of loss,Gary was such a great teacher and friend he will be missed by everyone who had the honors if knowing him,he was just more then a teacher he was a great friend,I went on many of his afternoon bike rides iut through Willard marsh what a great guy,I will surely miss him
Robert Burky
So sorry to read of his passing. He made a tough class a lot easier, one of my favorite teachers who won’t be forgotten.
My most memorable time with Gary was when Helen, Kathryn, Gary and myself “dressed up” for his nephew”s trail camera. Gary was the front end of a cow outfit, and I was the back end. We laughed and laughed!!!!
Also remember playing euchre at family get togethers.
Wonderful person. Edna
Our sincere sympathy to Gary’s family. He left a wonderful legacy. Just think how many lives he touched in such a good way. Barb and I would see him once in a while at McDonald’s restaurant in Shelby. He was always so interesting to talk with. We will miss him. Such a good man.
Remembering all the good times at Calvary United Church of Christ being involved with Gary as our Sunday School teacher of the Friendship Class, as a member of the choir and other social activities. Prayers for comfort, strength and peace at a time of the loss of a father, grandfather and good friend. A memorial donation will be given to the Lowe-Volk Park in his memory.