B. Jack Cole's Obituary
B. Jack Cole passed away peacefully at his home in Oakland, Tennessee, on July 27, 2026, at the age of 86.
Jack was lovingly raised by his sister, Geneva Williamson, and her husband, Wesley Williamson. Through determination and hard work, he put himself through Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering—a testament to the perseverance and quiet resolve that would define the rest of his life.
Following graduation, Jack built a distinguished career in Memphis that spanned decades, ultimately co-founding Burr & Cole Consulting Engineers.
Throughout his career, Jack helped shape many of the Mid-South’s most recognizable landmarks and institutions. His work included projects at Memphis International Airport, the expansion of Rhodes College, decades of growth at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi, and countless commercial, educational, and healthcare facilities throughout the region.
Among the projects of which he was most proud was the sanctuary expansion at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. The project required constructing a massive new sanctuary over an existing, fully functioning church before carefully removing the original structure through the front entrance—an engineering challenge for which no established blueprint existed. It was a fitting example of Jack’s practical ingenuity, thoughtful leadership, and ability to solve problems that others considered impossible.
Jack shared many happy years of marriage with his childhood sweetheart and first wife, Judy Bridges Cole, and together they raised two children, Janet and Jeff. Following Judy’s death in 2006, he was blessed to share the later years of his life in marriage with Shirley Graves Newsom-Cole.
Jack was an active member of Grace Evangelical Church. Jack loved spending time with family and friends, traveling, and playing golf. In later years, he enjoyed traveling across the country by bus tour and picked up ballroom dancing with enthusiasm. Though naturally quiet, he was known for his dry humor, quick wit, and the playful smile that often accompanied an unexpected remark. Those who knew him best understood that even in his quietest moments, his sense of humor was never far away.
As his health declined, Jack often spoke of one final adventure—to buy a Tesla and let it drive him to the sandy beaches of Florida. It was a dream that brought a smile to those around him. God had other plans. Instead of the sandy beaches of Florida, Jack found himself in a far more beautiful place, safely in the hands of his Savior.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Judy, his sister, Geneva Williamson, and his nephew Wesley Williamson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley; his son, Dr. Jeff Cole (Floy Wigal); his daughter, Janet Cole Edwards (Terry); his step-son, Frank Donald Newsom II; and his cherished grandchildren, Cole Edwards and Elizabeth Cole.
He is also survived by his sister’s son, Wayne Williamson (Jane), and their daughter Shannon Williamson McBride (Jerry), as well as Judy’s brother and former business partner, Don Bridges (Sally), and their two children, Austin Bridges and Courtney Bridges Nicholson.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 31, 2026, at Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery from 10:00 AM until the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.
Ps 116:5 "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930.
“Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”
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