James "Jc" "Cole" Colvin

James Coleman “Cole” “J.C.” Colvin, 89, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away March 16, 2024, at Lincoln Court Assisted Living Center from causes incident to age. His wife was at his side.

Cole was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1934 to Reuben B. Colvin and Ollie B. Hunter Colvin. Growing up in Oklahoma, Cole became self-taught in mechanics, electronics, plumbing, and especially his father’s trade-carpentry. If Cole couldn’t fix it or build it, no one could. Cole could be pretty crafty with the girls too. He often told of his first girlfriend and how he would pick her up at the church after Bible study and ride into town for a Coke...on his donkey!

Cole loved his family and Jeeps, camping and Jeeps, snowmobiling and Jeeps, boating and Jeeps, decorating for the holidays and Jeeps, rides in the back country and Jeeps, biscuits and gravy and Jeeps, John Wayne and Jeeps, AND JEEPS.

Cole loved his country, so after graduating from Vanoss High School, he joined the Navy and served during the Korean War. In 1955, Cole married Geraldine Bates of Rigby, Idaho, and moved to Idaho Falls. They were later divorced. During his 35 years as a welder at the INEL, Cole met the love of his life, Charlotte Pomeroy. On November 7, 1988, they eloped to Muskogee, Oklahoma, and were married. Cole became a wonderful, loving stepfather and friend to Charlotte’s children, Gina and Paul.

Throughout his life, Cole was a “people person,” caring, thoughtful, friendly, and always wanting to help. In 1958, he was instrumental in starting Bonneville County Sheriffs Office first Search and Rescue unit, an all volunteer organization later named Bonneville County Sheriffs Jeep Patrol. Ten years later, Cole met with a handful of Search and Rescue members from 13 Idaho counties and Idaho State Search and Rescue was born which grew to include every county in Idaho, and then National Search and Rescue Association Inc. and Snake River Search. Cole was active in Search and Rescue for 60 years, serving every board position from county, state and national, including search dog training and handling. Cole’s prize bloodhound, Bonnie, was the only search dog recognized by the State of Idaho as a witness in a murder trial.

After retirement, Cole helped organize the Department of Energys’ Workers Health Protection Program, which gives free physical exams to former site workers to screen for any hazards they were exposed to. He was the Retiree Representative for almost 20 years. He served in several community projects such as the soup kitchen, “FAITH” (Family Assistance in Transitional Housing), a local project offering housing and educational opportunities for disadvantaged single mothers. Cole did the maintenance on all the housing units. In 1997, Cole started working at the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank (which he loved almost as much as he loved Jeeps) which he served faithfully for 20 years.

In 2002 and 2003, Cole was recognized and nominated for Channel 8s annual “8 Who Make a Difference” Award.

Cole accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at Calvary Chapel in 2015. It was his faith and the Grace of God that got him through the trials of his life.

Cole is survived by his wife, Charlotte; stepchildren, Gina (Jim) Stump and Paul (Gina) Pomeroy; grandsons, Steven Conway, Graham Pomeroy, Kendrick (Rachel) Pomeroy, and Jonathan Pomeroy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; half-sisters, Edna May Hodges Ragar and Muriel Larene Hodges Carr; half-brothers, Lemuel T. Hodges and Abner C. Hodges; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Cole would want donations made to your favorite charity.

A Celebration of Cole’s wonderful life will be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at The Brickyard Event Center, 1025 S. Ammon Road. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the Navy Military Honor Guard at 2 p.m.