LeRoy "Tony" Cole

Funeral services for LeRoy "Tony" Cole, age 77, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue, in Norfolk. Pastor Brian McCracken will officiate, with burial in Herrick, South Dakota at a later date.

Flag line honors will be provided by American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be Friday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue, in Norfolk.

Tony died Friday, March 6, 2026, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Leroy Anthony “Tony” Cole, son of Florence J. Dunn and James J. Cole, was born January 11, 1949, in Yakima, Washington. He was raised in Herrick and Burke South Dakota and attended high school in Gregory South Dakota. At the age of five he started a battle with Polio. He fought and won that battle, continued with life and kept it interesting. …..

Tony was married to Judy Cole on January 20, 1968, in Neligh Nebraska. They had one daughter, Lisa Cole McCracken of Murray, IA and one son, Jon Cole of Clarinda, IA.  

Tony spent time in Alaska, working on the Alyeska Pipeline and later returned to Nebraska. He worked many jobs where he drove 18 wheelers. In the later years he drove charter bus for Navigator Motorcoaches. Tony was an active member of the Norfolk Sons of American Legion Squadron 16 and American Legion Riders Chapter 16.

If you ever met Tony, you know he was the type of person you wouldn’t forget.  He had the ability to make you laugh at times until your sides were aching and at times begging him to stop. He also had the courage to sit with you during tough times, hold your hand and shed tears with you until the hurt went away. 

Tony had a deep love for his son, Jon and his daughter, Lisa. The pride he had for his grandchildren was unmeasurable. He had plans for when he got better, he was going to his youngest granddaughter’s graduation this year. Unfortunately, God had other plans.

He was the type of person you wanted for a friend. Tony could tell a story he swore was true but if it wasn’t he could always say maybe it could have happened that way. He was the type that would ask you not to shed a tear for him but now that he has passed would shed them for you. He left us, his family, with enough memories to last us until we see him again in heaven.

Tony leaves to mourn his passing: daughter, Lisa McCracken (husband Brian) and grandsons, Colin McCracken (Emily) and Corey McCracken (Maria); son, Jon Cole (wife Tasha) and granddaughters, Taylor Cole, Maddie Cole, and Ellie Cole; sisters, Juanita (Nietzie) and Larry Toothaker of Norman, OK, Becky Schmitz of  Norfolk, NE, Nancy and Dan Gillpatrick of Omaha, NE, and Patty Danielson of Fremont, NE; brothers, Jay Cole of Norfolk, NE and Mark and Donna Frey of Newburg, WI; and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends that will never forget.

He was preceded in death by, his parents, Florence and Jim Cole; and grandparents, Jerry and Winnie Dunn and Lottie and James Cole.

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