1918
Ardell
2013
Ardell Cole
October 16, 1918 — October 14, 2013
Judge Ardell Cole, who died today at 94 in Nashville, served the public for 28 years as a judge and circuit court clerk and was a distinguished World War II veteran. He was Henry County’s Circuit Court clerk from 1962-1976 and was General Sessions Court judge here from 1976-1990.
Born in Henry County, he graduated from Grove High School and attended Denver (Colo.) University.
In 1962, Cole, who was youth director at First United Methodist Church, took a leave of absence, to seek the office of circuit court clerk. He was elected and held the office until he was appointed General Sessions Court judge by then-Gov. Ray Blanton in 1976. Cole was recognized as the last of the “nonlawyer” judges to preside over General Sessions Court in Henry County.
One of Cole’s most memorable judgments was signing a legal order declaring video poker machines contraband. The order, which led to seizure of illegal poker machines here, resulted in district attorneys and law enforcement officials taking similar action in larger East Tennessee counties, as well as in Metro Nashville. In his military service, Cole was drawn into the 115th Field Artillery of the Tennessee National Guard in May 1940. Made up mostly of Paris and Henry County men, the unit was federalized in September. After officer training July 1943 with Battery B, 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, a unit of the 101st Airborne Division. He remained with the same unit throughout the war. He made combat jumps in the invasion of Sicily and southern France, survived five months at Anzio against strong German resistance and disabled Nazi tanks at point blank range in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne.
Cole advanced from the rank of private to major and received eight campaign ribbons. In the community, Cole was the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s Person of the Year in 1985.
Cole Died Monday October 14, 2013 in Nashville under the care of his daughters, Dr. Cathy Cole, retired and Christy Cole, Tax Attorney and Financial Advisor with Merrell Lynch. Mr. Cole was married August 18, 1948 to the former Dottie Lowe of Paris and she preceded in death June 11, 2006.
The funeral service will be Thursday October 17, 2013 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Paris. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3 – 5:30 pm and after 1 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church.
Entombment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Born in Henry County, he graduated from Grove High School and attended Denver (Colo.) University.
In 1962, Cole, who was youth director at First United Methodist Church, took a leave of absence, to seek the office of circuit court clerk. He was elected and held the office until he was appointed General Sessions Court judge by then-Gov. Ray Blanton in 1976. Cole was recognized as the last of the “nonlawyer” judges to preside over General Sessions Court in Henry County.
One of Cole’s most memorable judgments was signing a legal order declaring video poker machines contraband. The order, which led to seizure of illegal poker machines here, resulted in district attorneys and law enforcement officials taking similar action in larger East Tennessee counties, as well as in Metro Nashville. In his military service, Cole was drawn into the 115th Field Artillery of the Tennessee National Guard in May 1940. Made up mostly of Paris and Henry County men, the unit was federalized in September. After officer training July 1943 with Battery B, 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, a unit of the 101st Airborne Division. He remained with the same unit throughout the war. He made combat jumps in the invasion of Sicily and southern France, survived five months at Anzio against strong German resistance and disabled Nazi tanks at point blank range in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne.
Cole advanced from the rank of private to major and received eight campaign ribbons. In the community, Cole was the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s Person of the Year in 1985.
Cole Died Monday October 14, 2013 in Nashville under the care of his daughters, Dr. Cathy Cole, retired and Christy Cole, Tax Attorney and Financial Advisor with Merrell Lynch. Mr. Cole was married August 18, 1948 to the former Dottie Lowe of Paris and she preceded in death June 11, 2006.
The funeral service will be Thursday October 17, 2013 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Paris. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3 – 5:30 pm and after 1 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church.
Entombment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
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