Jerome Cole

Jerome L. Cole, 65, of Fargo, ND, died on Sunday, November 26, 2017, in his home.

Jerome Lewis Cole was born October 1, 1952, the son of Suddarth and Fern (Hanson) Cole, in Moorhead, MN, where he was baptized in June of 1953. He was raised in Dilworth, MN, until the eighth grade when they moved to Pelican Rapids, MN. Jerome graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1971 and in June of 1971, entered police school in Alexandria, MN.

He entered the United States Army in 1972, becoming a Military Police Officer. He was stationed in Milwaukee, WI, hunting down AWOL and deserters from the military. After 15 months in Milwaukee, he was then sent to Germany where he was stationed in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany. In September of 1975, he was discharged at the rank of E-5 Sergeant.

After returning home, Jerome moved to Parshall, ND, in April of 1976, where he accepted the Police Chief position. He then returned to Fargo and began working at the Veteran Administration Hospital in 1978 in the Security Department, later moving to the garage as a heavy equipment operator.

While working at the V.A. Hospital in Fargo, Jerome met his true love, Deborah Olson. They were married on February 21, 1987, in Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo. To this union they were blessed with two wonderful sons, Zachary and Andrew. In 2004, Jerome was diagnosed with CHF and was forced to retire from the VA because of his health. Over the past few years he worked part-time at Snap Dragon in Moorhead and the Fargo Country Club.

Jerome was the #1 Bison fan, tailgating at and attending many games over the years. He enjoyed bear hunting and summer and winter fishing. He especially loved spending time with his boys, whether they were down hill skiing or spending time at their lake cabin on Ottertail Lake.

He is survived by his loving wife, Deborah; son, Andrew, Walker, MN; sister, Mary (Lenny) Krueger, Abercombie, ND; brothers, Rik (Kathy) Cole, Walker, Dave (Kitty) Cole, Bismarck, ND, and Bryan (Shannon) Cole, Fargo; mother and father-in-law, Rita and Glenn Olson, Devils Lake, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and step-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Zachary who died in an auto accident on January 1, 2012; step-brothers, Frank and Walt; and step-sisters, Darlene and Lois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

A Gathering of Friends for Jerome will be one hour prior to his memorial service.

His Memorial Service will be Friday, December 1, 2017 at 2:00 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, MN.

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead, MN)