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Justice Luther Francis Cole (Ret.) passed away on July 26, 2013. He was born on October 25, 1925 in Alexandria, one of twelve children born to Clement and Catherine Cole. Graveside services will be on Monday, July 29, 2013 at 11:00 am at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. A graduate of Bolton High School, Luther served with honor in the United States Navy during World War II. On March 9, 1945 he married Juanita Barton of Horatio, Arkansas. After the war, Luther entered the LSU Law School where he met his good friend, Warren Mengis. In 1950, the two newly admitted lawyers formed their own law firm, Cole and Mengis, later joined by Lawrence Durant. Luther served in the Louisiana House of Representatives, and as a judge on the 19th Judicial District Court, and First Circuit Court of Appeal. He was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1986 and served on the court with distinction until his retirement in 1992. He is survived by his wife, Juanita, three children, Fran Harbour and husband Robert, Jeffrey Cole and his wife, Polly, and Christopher Warren Cole, grandchildren Elizabeth Harbour Rutledge and husband Tracy, Katherine Harbour Cangelosi and husband Charlie, Jeffrey Bryan Cole, Patrick Francis Cole, Caroline Nichols Cole, Anna Catherine Cole, Christopher Daniel Cole and Catherine Frances Cole, and three great grandchildren, Grace, Ivy and James Rutledge. Luther was considered by many to be a fine lawyer, masterful politician and an excellent jurist. However, his greatest accomplishments were as a grandfather, father and especially a devoted and loving husband to Juanita for over 68 years.
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So sad to hear of your loss. My Dad and I send our deepest sympathy to Chris and the Cole family.
Shellie Lloyd Mancuso
July 29, 2013
Juanita,Fran(and Bobby),Jeff(and Polly) and Chris: I am so saddened by the Judge's passing. But I feel so grateful to have had him as my mentor in my first year out of law school when I worked as his clerk on the 1St Circuit. He was so patient, kind,and generous with his knowledge and praise. He was one of a kind. As accomplished as he was as a jurist, I am sure he was as accomplished as a husband, father and grandfather. I will also be grateful all of you for including Lynn and me in his 80th birthday celebration. Time is too fleeting. My deepest sympathy and utmost respect, Len Kilgore
July 29, 2013
One of the models in my life for how to be an honorable, fun loving, and gracious man. My life has undoubtedly been better for having come in contact with Luther Cole. His unselfish efforts may have seemed small to him, but were huge to me when they occurred. So sorry I will be unable to make the service. Chris and family, thank you for sharing him with so many others.
Kirk and Cookie Richardson
July 29, 2013
Our greatest sympathy to Mrs. Cole and family. He was one of the finest men my husband and I had ever met. Judge Cole will never be forgotten. We think of all of you often and can still picture all of you at the big round table at La Fonda's.
Dennis and Patsy Keenan
July 29, 2013
To Fran and Bob, Sorry for Judge Cole's death. Please accept this expression of sympathy from Jim and me. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Wanda & Jim de Cordova
July 28, 2013
Fran, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I don't know your Dad's final days' situation. I, personally, was so glad for my Dad because he had been in the bed for 1 1/2 years and we had already grieved. I pray for peace that only God can provide for you and your family.
Love,
Duaine Dyer Fitzgerald
July 28, 2013
One of the finest gentleman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. God has a very special angel.
Ann Keltner
July 28, 2013
I know I share with many others the deepest gratitude to Justice Cole for him taking a personal interest in my becoming an attorney and his many lessons that made us all better people. He was a great jurist, an even better man, and ever more so an exemplary family man that made all of us that he touched better human beings. Our great State of Louisiana is blessed to have had him in its service. My hope is that the many lives he made better by his very being is of comfort to his wonderful family.
David Palay
July 28, 2013
It was with great sadness that I read of Judge Cole's passing. My mother and dad were close friends with the Coles and I can remember many laughs at the house. I think fondly of tailgating at LSU games and eating hot tamales in Plaquemine with the judge.
There is no doubt in my mind that with the Judge joining my Dad in Heaven that jurisprudence is in for a shake up. Our condolences and best wishes to the family.
Tim & Jane Alford
Lexington KY
July 28, 2013
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely the attorneys and staff of Mayer, Smith & Roberts, L.L.P.
July 28, 2013
I was so sorry to hear of Judge Cole's passing. He was a wonderful man. I know that he will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Donald Price
July 28, 2013
With love and our deepest sympathy to Juanita and family from Pat and Robert Emerson, Marion and Zach Lea and Sim Shattuck.
July 28, 2013
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time. Many happy memories of great duck and dove hunts with the Judge. He could make us laugh so hard we cried. We will keep the Judge and family in our thoughts and prayers. Nathan and Chris Roberts
Nathan Roberts
July 28, 2013
Our heartfelt sympathies to Juanita and family. "The Judge" will never be forgotten.
Peggy and Paul Lee
July 27, 2013
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