John “Jack” Carter Cole, 93, of Lincoln passed away on January 15, 2025. Born June 16, 1931, in Nebraska City, NE to Russell and Grace (Morris) Cole.
Jack attended Lincoln High School, Nebraska Wesleyan and UNL. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He taught music in the Lincoln Public Schools and in Michigan. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He served as organist and choir director at several churches for many years. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists, Kiwanis Club, and Nebraska and Michigan Choral Director’s Association.
Family members include his wife, Shirley; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Shirley Sacks; nieces and nephews Cindy Gronewold, Dave Sacks, Shari Bahensky, Rob, Doug, Tim and Jeff Zeller, and Jenny Jeffries; and many cherished cousins.
Preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial service: 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Eastmont Towers Performing Arts Center, 6315 O Street.
Memorials to Eastmont or First Presbyterian Church.
Services
Memorial Service
2:00 pm CST
Eastmont Towers Performing Arts Center
6315 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510
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What a class act Sir Jack Cole was. With good friend, Wini Milby, we teamed up to play many arousing card games with Jack and Shirley over the years. On some weekends we’d go for drives in the area, one of which included his old stomping grounds in Nebraska City. Jack had a keen sense of humor. His memory was as sharp as ever. But what I admired most about Jack was his love and admiration for Shirley. What a grand couple they made. I’ll forever hold them both close to my heart.
– Ron Sack, Omaha, Nebraska
Had him at southeast in 67 … lots of great stories .. a wonderful man
– Jim wilken
Sir Jack Cole was a class act. Jack, Shirley, and our friends enjoyed many good card games together. Over the years, we spent time in some Nebraska towns including Nebraska City, where Jack showed us where he grew up. He possessed a sharp wit and had a keen sense of memory. I loved his history lessons. What I admired most about Jack was his love and affection for Shirley. May God bless this beautiful soul.
– Ron Sack
I can’t overstate the impact Jack (he’ll always be Mr. Cole to me) had on my life, not only as a great teacher, but for helping me believe in myself.
– Tim Burroughs, Lincoln Southeast Class of ’66
Without a doubt my favorite music teacher. He challenged me with his music choices for choirs, glee, musical productions and individual voice. He expanded my vision of musical/vocal and instrumental opportunities. Peace and love to his family, friends and students.
– Janet Stevens Smith
What a superb choral conductor. Looking back on my high school years (Lincoln Southeast, class of 1965) I’m astounded by the range and difficulty of the work he had us do: popular, sacred (even a requiem), musicals, you name it. And because of Mr. Cole, we were good! I learned so much about music from him.
– Kathleen Augustin Boardman
“Another Lincoln High Job Well Done.”
– Bobby Mersed
So many fond memories of Mr Cole from my Lahser High women’s glee, Knightsingers & musical theater days. It was evident that he not only taught for a job, but that he truly cared about his students and wanted to share his passion for music. He had such enthusiasm! Firm, fair, honest, humorous, and humble. Truly one of the handful of teachers that has left a life long impression. “And so, we leave you, but though we may be gone, the gently haunting melody will linger in your memory.”
– Michele (Reso) Brown, LHS 1987
I took voice lessons from Jack Cole in the early 1960’s when he was the choral director at Lincoln Southeast HS. I was a student at Irving Junior High. Almost 60 years later I reconnected with Jack at Eastmont Towers and had coffee with him several times. He and his wife Shirley were very kind to me when I visited their lovely apartment a while back. Jack had a wonderful memory and he loved to reminisce with stories of his past. My condolences to Shirley and your entire family. Jack will be missed. Rest in Peace. Jeff Sayre
– Jeffrey D Sayre
I have thought about this man hundreds, if not thousands of times over the years. After my Dad, he solidified my love of music .. and singing, at an age where it was my everything. Carol of the BelIs, (sung Acapella by a choir) is to this day, my favorite Christmas song due to his brilliance of having our class sing this (with all its glorious harmonies) in the small hallway outside our classroom, for its echoing sound effect. I’ve wanted to thank him many times for deeming my love of music.. and singing. I even tried to look for him once, but wasnt sure if he’d remember me in the sea of the thousands he taught. Hopefully, he can hear that thanks now. Rest easy Mr. Cole. I know heavan’s choir just got a whole lot more fun! 
– Melissa (Papalas) Burns
Oh, Shirley and family! My heart goes out to you. Mr Cole was an exceptional musician and educator, and an even more amazing human being. I am so grateful for his musical guidance at Lahser during my 3 years in choir and Knightsingers. My love for music grew and his influence helped launch me in my own career as a vocal music educator. As a student teacher at Andover, I went to district music staff meetings where I was supposed to call him Jack 
I have thought of him often and fondly over the years and connected a few times on Facebook. He will be missed…and his legacy lives on through his students and mine! Much love to you all.
– Sue (Susie) Mueller
I loved Mr. Cole! I went to Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI from ‘87-‘91. I was in 3 musicals under his wonderful musical direction: Grease (freshman year), Guys ‘n Dolls (junior year) and Pippin (senior year). I was also in our show choir, Knightsingers, junior and senior year, which was one of my absolute favorite classes in high school. The gigs that we would do around town, singing at special events and nursing homes and caroling during the Christmas holidays…what an incredible experience! Mr. Cole loved and cared about his students so much! He was a great teacher (albeit sometimes tough!). He also at times felt like a friend, which was a rarity amongst the faculty at that school, from my experience. He was an amazing supportive presence and had a great impact on me during those difficult teenage years. My parents moved away from MI while I was in college, so unfortunately I lost touch with him. But I will always remember him so fondly. May his memory forever be a blessing to all those who knew and loved him. RIP Mr. Cole!
– Tineka Becker
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