Dr. Jack R. Cole died Aug. 2, 2025, at the age of 95, surrounded by his family and friends. Dr. Cole retired from the University of Arizona after 60 years of service. He was Dean Emeritus from the College of Pharmacy and served as the provost of the university.
As Board Chair of the Tucson Jewish Community Council, the forerunner of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, from 1980-82, Dr. Cole was integrally involved in the decision to locate the Jewish Community Campus at its current location. Dr. Cole became involved in Jewish communal affairs through the adoption services at Jewish Family & Children’s Services. Wanting others to benefit from the agency’s services, he served on the JFCS Board of Trustees, including a term as Board Chair from 1970-72.
Dr. Cole was the beloved husband of Joan Cole; father of Deborah Parks, Catherine Holt, and David Cole; and devoted grandfather of Hunter Holt.
Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, at Evergreen Mortuary Chapel, located at 3015 North Oracle Road.
Memorial donations may be made to The Jack R. Cole Scholarship for the College of Pharmacy at University of Arizona or the Kol Ami General Fund.
