James Ernest Cole, Sr. (Ern), 92, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma passed away on December 10th, 2022, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Ern was born in Charleston, West Virginia to Thomas and Louise Cole on January 28th, 1930.  He grew up in Virginia and went to school at Whitewood.   He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Air Force on the 3450 ^th Motor Vehicle Squadron. He married Betty Cole in February of 1956. Through most of his early career, he was an entrepreneur thru owning car dealerships, a motorcycle dealership, and a fleet of trucks.  In 1979, he moved his family from Virginia to Tulsa to attend Rhema Bible College and graduated from Rhema in 1981.  During his time in Tulsa, he worked in insurance sales and enjoyed connecting with new people. He was involved in the Full Gospel Businessmen's Association and was frequently asked to speak and share his testimony. He was also an active member of Church On The Move and served on their hospital ministry team.  Ern's highest honor was reaching people for Christ.  He made it his main mission to tell others about Jesus and help find their salvation in God's gift to us through Him.  No doubt he positively impacted thousands of people for Christ during his lifetime.

Ern is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Louise Cole, his brother, Harold Cole, and his sisters, Maddie Duncan, and Frances Moore.

Ern is survived by his wife, Betty Cole; his sons, Ernie Cole, Brad Cole and spouse Shandra Cole, Shane Cole, and spouse Ellen Cole; his grandchildren Amanda Peterson and spouse Tony Peterson, Jack Cole, Molly Cole, Emerson Cole, Jake Cole and Keshaun Cole; great grandchildren Tobias Peterson and Cole Peterson.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 17, 2022.  All arrangements are by Stanley Funeral Services.  Address for the funeral is 3959 E. 31 ^st St., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135.  In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to donate in Ern's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To livestream Ern's service, click the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY3MTI1MTYwMDIyNTI5NCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==