1942
Cole
2020
Cole A. Proctor
June 25, 1942 — September 18, 2020
Cole A. Proctor (78), beloved husband, father, grandfather, passed away Friday evening, September 18th, 2020, at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by family. Cole was born on June 25th, 1942, to Otis L. and Priscilla C. Proctor in Meriden, CT. He grew up attending school in Wallingford, CT and graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1960, lettering in football and basketball. He was inducted into the Lyman Hall Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. During the summers, Cole worked at Cole Farm Dairy in Dayton, ME, as well as Beaumont Farm in Wallingford. He was selected to play in the Nutmeg All-Star Game. He received a scholarship to attend Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, ME and was later inducted into the Bridgton Academy Hall of Fame. In 1962, the State College of Iowa awarded him a football scholarship, where he met his wife, Martha Young of Oelwein, IA. Cole and Marti shared nearly 57 years of marriage. In 1964, he attended and played football at Morehead State University (KY). He is a member of the 1966 Ohio Valley Conference Championship team, that defeated Eastern Kentucky University. He began his coaching career at MSU during the 1967-68 season as a graduate assistant while earning his Master of Education in 1968.
He then served as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb (NC) for three seasons (1969-71), prior to one campaign as an assistant coach at Lees-McRae Junior College (NC). Cole went on to spend three years as head football coach at Keene High School (NH) (1972-74), and Chatham Township High (NJ) (1975), where he was honored as New Jersey Coach of the Year by the Newark Star Ledger. He returned to Lees-McRae to serve as head football coach and athletic director for three years (1976-78). He was then an assistant at East Tennessee State (1979-80), San Diego State (1981-85), Iowa State (1985), and University of Utah (1986-89). Cole then returned to Morehead State in 1989 as head coach and was named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1990 after upsetting rival Eastern Kentucky University.
Cole began his scouting career in 1994 with the Arizona Cardinals (1994-98). In 1999, he joined the Tennessee Titans for their Music City Miracle season and Super Bowl XXXIV appearance. In 2012, he retired after 13 seasons.
Cole is survived by his wife, Marti; a daughter, Susan Proctor (Beaufort, SC) and grandson, USMC SSGT Joshua Cole Higgins (FT. Lee, VA), his wife Harper, and two great-grandsons Connor and William, and grandson Matthew Garay (Beaufort, SC); a son, Thomas Cole Proctor (Cincinnati), his wife Mary, grandchildren, Abbie and Jackson Cole Proctor. He is also survived by brother Mark C. Proctor and wife, Donna (Sugar Grove, IL); as well as brothers Bruce (Moorpark, CA), Fred (Buckeye, AZ), Scott (Meriden, CT), and sister Alice Stengel(West Newbury, MA). Nephews Clark LaGanke (Raleigh, NC) and Dr. Christopher LaGanke (Cullman, AL), and other beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cole is preceded in death by his parents Otis Proctor and Priscilla Cole Proctor, sister Joanne P. LaGanke.
Hodapp Funeral Home in Liberty Township, OH and Anderson Funeral Home in Beaufort, SC, are assisting the family. Services will be held at a later date.
He remained forever thankful to those who helped him advancein life and throughout his career: Walt Schipke, Roger McMahon, Bob Walker, Dick Beaumont, Chuck Dorsey, Stan Sheriff, Guy Penney, Earl Bentley, Dr. Adron Doran, Dr. H.C. Evans, George Litton, Doug Scovil, Burnie Miller, Jim Criner, Jim Fassel, Dr. C. Nelson Grote, Buddy Ryan, Glen Cumbee, Floyd Reese, Jeff Fischer, and his brothers in Christ James Washburn and LT Clebe McClary, USMC, Retired.
Cole treasured his relationships with friends, coworkers, and players.
Because of his life-long belief in supporting student athletics and his strong love of country, the family requests memorials be made in lieu of flowers.
He then served as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb (NC) for three seasons (1969-71), prior to one campaign as an assistant coach at Lees-McRae Junior College (NC). Cole went on to spend three years as head football coach at Keene High School (NH) (1972-74), and Chatham Township High (NJ) (1975), where he was honored as New Jersey Coach of the Year by the Newark Star Ledger. He returned to Lees-McRae to serve as head football coach and athletic director for three years (1976-78). He was then an assistant at East Tennessee State (1979-80), San Diego State (1981-85), Iowa State (1985), and University of Utah (1986-89). Cole then returned to Morehead State in 1989 as head coach and was named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1990 after upsetting rival Eastern Kentucky University.
Cole began his scouting career in 1994 with the Arizona Cardinals (1994-98). In 1999, he joined the Tennessee Titans for their Music City Miracle season and Super Bowl XXXIV appearance. In 2012, he retired after 13 seasons.
Cole is survived by his wife, Marti; a daughter, Susan Proctor (Beaufort, SC) and grandson, USMC SSGT Joshua Cole Higgins (FT. Lee, VA), his wife Harper, and two great-grandsons Connor and William, and grandson Matthew Garay (Beaufort, SC); a son, Thomas Cole Proctor (Cincinnati), his wife Mary, grandchildren, Abbie and Jackson Cole Proctor. He is also survived by brother Mark C. Proctor and wife, Donna (Sugar Grove, IL); as well as brothers Bruce (Moorpark, CA), Fred (Buckeye, AZ), Scott (Meriden, CT), and sister Alice Stengel(West Newbury, MA). Nephews Clark LaGanke (Raleigh, NC) and Dr. Christopher LaGanke (Cullman, AL), and other beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cole is preceded in death by his parents Otis Proctor and Priscilla Cole Proctor, sister Joanne P. LaGanke.
Hodapp Funeral Home in Liberty Township, OH and Anderson Funeral Home in Beaufort, SC, are assisting the family. Services will be held at a later date.
He remained forever thankful to those who helped him advancein life and throughout his career: Walt Schipke, Roger McMahon, Bob Walker, Dick Beaumont, Chuck Dorsey, Stan Sheriff, Guy Penney, Earl Bentley, Dr. Adron Doran, Dr. H.C. Evans, George Litton, Doug Scovil, Burnie Miller, Jim Criner, Jim Fassel, Dr. C. Nelson Grote, Buddy Ryan, Glen Cumbee, Floyd Reese, Jeff Fischer, and his brothers in Christ James Washburn and LT Clebe McClary, USMC, Retired.
Cole treasured his relationships with friends, coworkers, and players.
Because of his life-long belief in supporting student athletics and his strong love of country, the family requests memorials be made in lieu of flowers.
Bridgton Academy, PO Box 292, North Bridgeton, ME 04057
Morehead State University Athletic Department, 121 East Second Street Office 109H, Morehead State University, KY 40351
The Pat Tillman Foundation, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212, Chicago, IL 60654
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