Jerry Leland Cole, son of the late Floyd Leon and Edna Cleo (Thompson) Cole, was born Oct. 14, 1939, in Norwood, Mo. He died July 13, 2021, near Esbon, Kansas, at the age of 81.

Jerry grew up near Norwood, Mo., on a farm close to Fairview country school where he attended. At the age of 14, he hitchhiked out of Missouri beginning his life's journey. He was led to Nebraska where he worked as a ranch hand, seasonally returning home. Being a strong patriot, he joined the Marines shortly after his 17th birthday, where he served as an infantryman. After the Marines, he worked highway and pipelin...