Kenneth Jay Cole
Jay Cole died on November 21, 2025 with Jeanine, his wife of 52 years, by his side after a six-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Jay was born on July 10, 1947, in Great Falls. The oldest of three children born to Cecil and Maxine Cole, Jay attended grade school in Farmington and high school in Choteau graduating in 1965. He then attended Northern Montana College in Havre. Upon finishing his studies there, he returned to Choteau and started working for his future father-in-law, Jim Hamilton at H&H Implement. Jay met Jeanine in the summer of 1971 when she was helping clean her dad’s store following a fire. They were married in the summer of 1973.
Jay worked hard all his life. He joined the National Guard in 1967 and retired as a Master Sargent in 1994. At H&H, he worked as a mechanic for a few years and then became the weed supervisor for Teton County. In 1990, the Cole Family moved to Helena where Jay worked for the Montana Department of Agriculture as a weed specialist and for the USDA in biological control of weeds. Jay started his well-deserved retirement in 2012.
Jay and Jeanine have two children, Jamie born in 1975 and Alan born in 1977. Many of Jay’s extracurricular activities centered around his kids, including coaching baseball and a scout leader and following them to their many sports activities. He was also active in the Choteau community serving as a city councilman and volunteering as a fireman, sheriff’s police reserve and the Choteau Lions Club. Jay was very handy and could fix almost anything. In addition, when he had time, Jay enjoyed his hobbies of shooting, hunting, fishing and golfing.
Jay (or Jay Jay, as he was called by some in-laws) was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Jeanine (Hamilton), siblings Barb McManus (Gary) and Rodney Cole (Carol), his two children Jamie and Alan and two grandchildren, Tristen and Cierra, as well as several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.
A family graveside service will be held at a later date. Jay had requested that any memorials be made to either the Choteau Youth League Baseball (PO Box 722, Choteau, MT 59422) or Choteau Lions Club Swimming Pool, (PO Box 633, Choteau, MT 59422). Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Scott Mangold says
Sincere Condolences
Douglas Peterson says
Jay was a great guy, he will be misssed.
Douglas Peterson
Randy Wilke says
Jeanine, please know that we’re thinking about you and your family. We’re in your corner if you need anything!
Michelle and Randy
Linda Hodgskiss says
So very sorry to hear about Jay. Many good memories with Jay & Jeanine.
My condolences to your family.
Dan and Carolyn Rogers says
Janine, we are sad for you and your family and will be thinking of and praying for you all! Jay was one of the good guys and will be missed!
Dan and Carolyn
Jonnie Conatser says
Jeanine, Jamie, and Alan,
I’m so sorry to hear about Jay. Thinking of all of you with sympathy.
MaryAnn Ries says
Jeanine – thinking of you during this difficult time. I hope your memories bring you peace and comfort. MaryAnn Dellwo Ries
Terri Waldner says
Jeanine, Jamie, and Alan….thinking of you. I really “was” thinking of you all last week. With Sympathy, Jake and Terr i Waldner
Steve Saunders says
Jay was a very bright person in the weed world. His whit was engaging and infectious. Jay was a very good man and a good friend to me and all who knew him. God bless you Jay and your family.
Celestine Duncan says
I was so sad to hear about Jay. He was such an asset to the invasive plant program in Montana. We worked on many projects together and he was always dedicated to his profession and a hard worker. Condolences to his family, he will be missed by many
Kenny Gruenhagen says
Great guy and enjoyed visitation at his home
In Agawan. He had a pleasant nature and a good
Sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.
Tracie T Grimm says
Jeanine and Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers now and in the days to come. He was one great guy and will be truely missed. Hold onto those memories and he will never be far. God Bless You Real Good.
Russ Hyatt says
Jeanine, sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. Russ & Pam Hyatt
Tom Swortzel says
Jeanine, so very sorry to read about Jay. He was such a great guy. I’ll keep you and all of your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Swortzel
Skip Cooper says
Jeanie and Family. Sorry to read about Jay’s passing. I got to know him through the Montana Air National Guard, Fuels Management Section (formally P.O.L). It was always great to see & work with him on UTA’s. He will definitely be missed by all that had a chance to know him. My Thoughts, Prayers and Deepest Sympathy are with you all during this time of personal loss. May the Lord provide you with Loving and Happy Memories to help heal the ache in your hearts from losing a loved one.
Karen and John Peebles says
Jeanine – we were so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing – our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. We have many good memories of Jay!
Jim Sulgrove says
Sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. My condolences to all of the family.
Cathy H. says
Jamie and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers in this time of sorrow and pain.