Glen Cole, Class of 1952

Glen Cole ’52 died Oct. 9, 2020. He was born June 4, 1927 to the late Gilbert and Velma (Stephan) Cole. Glen graduated from Leesville High School and shortly thereafter joined the Merchant Marines. Glen was stationed on a ship, located off the coast of Japan when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. After his time in the Merchant Marines, he was drafted and served in the US Army where he was stationed in Japan.

Glen was introduced to the late Susie Roller through a blind date at the Loudonville Street Fair and following his final college exam, they married. Glen earned his bachelor’s degree from Otterbein College, where he was involved in the Lambda Gamma Epsilon (Kings) fraternity. He went on to complete his master’s degree from The Ohio State University.

Glen began his career as the principal/teacher at Leesville High School. In 1962, Col. Crawford High School was built, and he became their inaugural principal, a position held for many years until becoming the school Superintendent. Glen wanted to help students on a more individual basis, so in the mid-1970s, he moved into the classroom where he taught both math and business classes for a few years. In 1980, he was voted in as the Crawford County Treasurer, serving four terms. Glen concluded his work career by serving several years on the Board of Directors for the Area Agency on Aging. Even most recently, as an ex officio board member, he enjoyed attending meetings to keep up with the happenings of the organization. Glen was a Mason, a member of Grange, and a former Kiwanian.

One of Glen’s passions was flying. In 1982, he received his pilot license and purchased a Cessna 182. He took many FFA Students for flights over their farm and also enjoyed his membership in the Ohio Flying Farmers. The OFF met monthly and their meetings were often held at their respective farms. Everyone would fly in for a potluck meeting which offered much fellowship. Glen and Susie flew all over the area. Sometimes for a joy ride, other times to observe farms but often their flight included a stop for ice cream.

Glen is survived by his children, Michael (Doreen) Cole, Mary ’85 (Mike) Lyons and John Cole ’88; three grandchildren, Nathan, Lia and Megan; brothers, Wilbur Cole and Eugene ’56 (Marilyn) Cole; Nephew Jeffery Cole ’79.
He was preceded in death by his wife Susie Roller Cole, brother, Richard Cole and sister-in-law, Martha Cole.