Jerome Dean Cole

On the morning of April 2, 2025, Jerome Dean Cole passed away peacefully at the age of 92. He was born on November 10, 1932, in Mason City, Iowa, to the union of Martha Gator and Oliver Floyd Jackman. He will be greatly missed but remembered as a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather who remained committed to standing strong for his family/friends and those unable to do it themselves. He was a graduate of Muskegon Heights High School in 1952. The Cole house will always be remembered as a welcoming place where many families and friends often came to eat, laugh, play cards, and be together. 

Jerome (was called “Cole” affectionately by close friends) will most likely be remembered to be fearless, fair, a trail blazer (such as using his influence to help many family/friends get hired at Consumers Power B.C. Cobb Plant until his retirement in 1995), and breaking down racial barriers that stood in the way of him and others. He participated in Sit-ins to fight racial injustice in Muskegon at dime stores, movies, bowling alleys, and the Benson drug store. In his early days, Jerome was a long-time member of the NAACP. Everyone liked and respected him, and he was true to his repeated mantra, “your word is your bond”. He was a hard worker and, without question, a steady provider to serve as a model for all to see. Knowing the Lord and doing the right thing were always expected in his home. Also, to his credit is an Honorable discharge from the United States Army in 1954 during the Korean War. While stationed in Anchorage, AK, Jerome was a successful, feared, and respected light middleweight boxer. He sometimes used this skill with his children and other kids in the neighborhood to settle their disputes with the boxing gloves in the backyard.

Jerome owned rental homes for years until he was 89 years old. Back in the day, he did most of the work himself while teaching his kids the meaning of “hard work” and life skills such as being a responsible landlord and keeping up on home repairs. He indeed was not doing this for the money, and we believe this was his mission to help young families to live in a clean and safe home. We think this comes from his own experiences as a child when his family had their own difficulties finding fair housing while living in Chicago. He would say, “If I do something like this to help this family, someone may come back to help my kids”. He was a great father who supported his kids and grandkids in all their activities (sports, academic achievements, clubs…etc.).

It was very important for Jerome to lead his family to understanding our black history (such as reading the many books we had in our own library), struggles, and the shoulders we all stood on.  It was always made clear that not voting was a problem in his eyes because so much was sacrificed to have this right. He also had an “iron-clad” memory, making him the strongest link by knowing his family history and passing it down with the old stories that captured your interest and desire to know more.

Jerome leaves to cherish many memories and blessings for his devoted wife of 69 years Robbie Cole (Muskegon, MI), one daughter Sheila Matthews (Auburn Hills, MI), daughter in-law Robin Cole (Livonia), MI), two sons Gregory (Yolanda) Cole, Grand Ledge, MI, Marcus (Janise) Cole, Grand Rapids, MI, Sister-in-law Delores Lee Cole, five granddaughters Tressa Matthews, Nicole “Nikki Pooh” Cole, Danielle (Elvin) Wright, Shonte’ and Brittany Cole, three grandsons Kevin (Shiesha) Matthews, Ryan and Devan Cole, four great granddaughters China Smith Baker, Saniya Matthews, Caylin Wright, Blaire Fuller, four great grandsons Kristopher “Jalen”, Justin, Peyton and Nolan Matthews, one great- great granddaughter London Baker and many more nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha (previously Jackman) Cole; father, Oliver Floyd Jackman; stepfather, James Cole; son, Jerome Cole Jr.; son-in-law, Verlin Matthews; grandson, Kristopher Matthews; sisters, Beverly Coppage and Sandra Osborne; and brothers, Oliver Jackman Jr and Donald Cole.