Dr. Richard "Dick" Jerome Cole

Dr. Richard “Dick” Jerome Cole of Albany, GA, was born on June 27, 1935, in New Castle, PA. He passed away on June 3, 2024. He was a kind and loving father and grandfather (“Papa”) who was always willing to help family and friends. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. After graduating from Union High School in New Castle, Dr. Cole worked in a steel mill and served in the Army before attending college. He earned his B.S.Ed. from Slippery Rock Teachers College and attended the University of Maryland where he earned his M.S. and Ph.D. He and his wife Val then moved to Albany where he began his career as a mycotoxicologist for the USDA. In his work as a scientist, Dr. Cole traveled all over the world sharing his research on the aflatoxin in peanuts. He made friends everywhere he went and welcomed them into his home when they came to the U.S. He retired as the Director of the National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, GA. Dr. Cole enjoyed being active. He played tennis and golf, and he was a runner. He liked to fish and hunt and shared that love with his son and oldest grandson. Dr. Cole always had a garden and enjoyed growing fresh fruit and vegetables to preserve and share. He kept a bee hive for many years. He and Val always looked forward to trips to the beach, especially after they retired and could go more often. Retirement also gave him time to get into woodworking; he enjoyed making furniture as gifts for family and friends. Probably the thing Dr. Cole was most known for was cooking. He loved cooking from scratch and could make just about anything! He loved making the Polish and Italian dishes he learned from his mother and combining various recipes to make what he wanted, but his specialty was pizza. Everyone looked forward to the Super Bowl parties he and Val would host because of the variety of pizzas he made as well as the good company and friendly wagers as to which team would win the game. Dr. Cole was a member of the Elks and Moose Lodges. He and Val enjoyed dinners at the clubs as well as the bands and parties thrown for the members. He joined St. Teresa’s when he moved to Albany. He and the family used to serve as greeters at Mass on Sundays. Dr. Cole was preceded in death by his parents, John and Angeline Cole, and one brother, John, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Val; his children, Kathy Hardison of Leesburg, GA (Tom) and Brian Cole of Johns Creek (Karen); his grandchildren, Trey Hardison of San Antonio, TX (Ellison); Angie Hardison of Leesburg; and Owen Cole of Johns Creek; great-grandchildren, Henry and Ellie Kate Hardison of San Antonio; his brother, Raymond Cole (New Castle, PA); and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family in Pennsylvania as well as many old and new friends around the world and in the Albany area. The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Home for a wake service on Friday, June 7, at 6:00 P.M. Dr. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Teresa’s on Saturday, June 8, at noon with interment to follow. Memorial donations may be made to St. Teresa’s Catholic School, 417 Edgewood Ln., Albany, GA 31707; or to Wynfield Park Health and Rehabilitation for indigent care, 223 3rd Ave. Albany, GA 31701.

Dr. Richard "Dick" Jerome Cole

June 27, 1935 - June 3, 2024