John Coles

John Coles, 93, of Jamestown, ND, died Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Ave Maria Village, Jamestown.

John Coles was born September 25, 1916, in Kenmare, ND, the son of Henry Simpson and Minnie (Kabella) Coles. He started his college education at the School of Forestry in Bottineau, North Dakota and he graduated from NDSU (including a Master's in Botany), Fargo, ND. It was at the School of Forestry that he met Audrey. With the outbreak of World War II John and two friends drove to Fort Snelling in January of 1942 and enlisted in the Army Air Corp. John was a pilot in the 416th Night Fighter Squadron during WWII which served primarily in the Po Valley in northern Italy. Although he served with an American squadron, the 416 flew British DeHavill and Mosquito aircraft, which he declared to be "the best plane I ever flew". He married Audrey Mae Jirikowic on October 31, 1942 in Sacramento, CA. John was discharged from active duty and returned to North Dakota to become an assistant county extension agent in Watford City, ND and later, the county agent in Bismarck, ND. He was employed as the Ag Representative for First National Bank in Bismarck and was one of the first bankers in North Dakota to specialize in farm loans.

John served in the N.D. State Legislature in the early 1960's, serving two terms in the House. The family moved to Jamestown in 1966 where John served as Executive Vice President of Jamestown National Bank. Audrey died on October 4, 1972.

John married Eunice Eckart on March 24, 1979 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown where their home has been since.

John served in the North Dakota National Guard for many years and retired as a Major. He flew small, fixed wing aircraft and learned to fly helicopters late in his flying career. John was called up for the 1961 Berlin Crisis and was deployed to Fort Leonard Wood for a year. His initial application to helicopter school was deny as "being too old". A call to then Senator Mark Andrews straightened the matter out and John returned from his deployment as a qualified helicopter pilot.

John is survived by his wife, Eunice Coles, Jamestown; one daughter, Susan (Dean) Stenehjem, Vancouver, WA; three sons, Gary (Patricia), Columbia, MO, Lynn (Elizabeth), Washington, D.C., and James (Suzanne), Bismarck, ND; four grandchildren, Kristina, Robb, Eric, and Brian.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; and brother, Joe.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010, at Ave Marie Village Chapel, Jamestown, ND, with Rev. Leon Zavadil officiating.

Visitation: One hour before the service at Ave Marie Village Chapel.

Burial: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rough Rider Honor Flights, PO Box 220, Bismarck, ND 58502 in memory of John Coles.