James Christopher Cole entered into eternal rest on Saturday December 28th, 2024, at age 75, surrounded by his wife, Kay, and his three children, Chance, Carrie, and Cassie.

Chris, son of Mary Doris "Dosey" Mathis and James Elbert "Dody" Cole, was born in Frederick, OK on December 9th, 1949. He graduated from Frederick High School where he excelled in academics and several sports. His peers voted him Mr. FHS during his senior year of 1968. He was known as a committed competitor, whether the challenge was waterskiing, hunting, fishing, team sports, or card games. Although his interests were varied, it was his singular talent for the game of golf that earned him an athletic scholarship to Oklahoma State University. During his years on the OSU Golf Team, Chris was twice recognized as an NCAA All-American golfer. He graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1973.

Chris married Kay Cassidy, also of Frederick, on March 16th, 1974. Following a short (and highly successful) stint as a playing professional, Chris began a career in golf club management and development. He is best known for his years leading Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, OK; Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, FL; and Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina.

His career later expanded to include golf course design and resort development. Chris designed South Padre Island Golf Club in Laguna Vista, TX; The Oaks in Pass Christian, MS; Murder Rock in Branson, MO; Lake Presidential in Upper Marlboro, MD; Los Arcos in Arcos de la Frontera, Spain; and Apes Hill Golf Club in Saint James, Barbados. Other notable projects that bear Chris's fingerprints include The Ocean Course on Kiawah Island, SC and Doonbeg in County Clare, Ireland.

Chris was a lifetime member of the USGA and the PGA of America. He served as Chairman of the 1984 U.S. Amateur Championship and the 1991 Ryder Cup.

Chris retired early and moved home to Frederick in 2011 to assist his parents in their final years. Settled back into small town life, Chris quickly became a fixture at the Frederick Golf & Country Club where he had set the course record in his youth – a record he has held for more than 50 years and continues to hold to this day. Chris later ran for City Council and was serving as Vice Mayor and City Councilman at the time of his passing.

Those lucky enough to know Chris instantly gained a friend for life. His sense of humor was legendary, his storytelling was beloved, and he often showed his fondness for others by giving them a nickname (that always seemed to stick!). He was known to be an early riser, and often completed 4-mile treks around town at dawn. He used that time to reminisce, to plan, and to pray. After returning home, completing a few more exercises, and showering, he loved to remind whoever was getting up at 7am that he was the only one who was already "looking great, feeling great, and smelling great" - and that the rest of us were "still stinking!"

Although his life and career took him all over the world, and even led to handshakes with then Prince Charles of Wales and with Pope Francis, Chris was a simple man at heart. A freshly mowed yard, visiting with his children and seven grandchildren, watching sports (Go Pokes!), and attending church with his wife were among his greatest joys. Chris joined his wife and family in their faith by converting to Catholicism on Easter 2022. This past Spring, he and Kay celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Chris is preceded in death by his parents, Dody and Dosey Cole; by his sister, Carolyn Hidlebaugh; and by his brother-in-law, Russell "Rusty" Levings. Chris is survived by his wife, Kay Cole of Frederick, OK; by his children, Chance Cole (Megan) of Charleston, SC, Carrie Altman (Alex) of Tucson, AZ, and Cassie Panzenbeck (Bobby) of Woodbridge, VA; by seven grandchildren, Cassidy Altman, Kinley Altman, Lionel Altman, Logan Altman, Robert Panzenbeck IV, Doris Panzenbeck, and Vivian Panzenbeck; by his sister, Claire McCoy (Jason) of Hampton, SC; by his brothers-in-law Michael Cassidy and Brent Cassidy of Frederick, OK; by his sisters-in-law Carolyn Levings of Oklahoma City, OK and Michele Kinder (Quinton) of Frederick, OK; by eight nephews and four nieces; and by seventeen grandnephews and grandnieces.

A memorial rosary will take place at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Jackson Funeral Home, 921 W. Gladstone Ave, Frederick, OK. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. Helen Catholic Church, 507 E. Highview Avenue, Frederick, with Rev. Fr. Joseph David officiating. Burial will follow in the Frederick Memorial Cemetery, under the direction of Jackson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or St. Helen Catholic Church of Frederick, OK.