Rosser Ryan "Bucky" Cole, 90, of Farmington, New Mexico died Sept. 22, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born April 26, 1933, in Norman, the son of the late Edmond V. and Mary Lee (Ryan) Cole.
As a child, he attended Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee for five years. In 1951, he graduated from Norman High School in Norman and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1955 with majors in biology and chemistry. Following his college graduation, he enrolled in medical school at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. While working at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City as a medical student, he met his future wife, Charlene Blackmon, a nurse who was assisting him. On December 27, 1958, at the First Presbyterian Church in Henryetta, he married Charlene (Blackmon) Cole, who preceded him in death on March 7th, 2020.
Rosser served in the US Army First Infantry Division, 69th Armored Battalion in 1959 and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing his military service, he continued his medical studies at The University of Oklahoma specializing in ophthalmology. He completed a rotating internship at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK and finished his medical residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma Medical School in 1963.
In July 1967, Rosser and Charlene moved to Farmington, New Mexico with their daughters, Karen and Kathy. Their third daughter, Kristi, was born just a few months later. He joined Dr. John Parker and together they formed Parker-Cole P.A.
Rosser served the Farmington community in many capacities through the years. He was President of the San Juan County Medical Society in 1969-1970 and was Chief of the Medical Staff of San Juan Regional Medical Center. He participated in health clinics that screened for glaucoma, and traveled to Cortez, Colorado to see patients and perform eye surgeries. He served as a board member of the Community Concert Association and enjoyed attending the concerts they brought to Farmington. He was also a member of St John's Episcopal Church, where he served as a member of the vestry in 1992.
Surviving are three daughters: Karen E Cole of Littleton, CO, Kathy E. (Jim) Falconi of New River, AZ and Kristi E. (Steve) Chouinard of Scottsdale, AZ; six grandchildren: Ryan A. Falconi, Lauren E. Rigby, Kaitlin A. (Dylan) Lane, Noah D. Cole-Hassell, Morgan A. Chouinard, and Brenna E. Cole-Hassell; three great grandchildren: Aubrey, Skylar, and Nolan Lane; his brother-in-law Charles (Judi) Blackmon of Carrolton, TX, and many cousins.
There will be a graveside service at Westlawn Cemetery in Henryetta Oct. 28, 2023 at 1 p.m. and reception following at Stonefell Chapel the former First Presbyterian Church in Henryetta.
Arrangements are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Home.