wfn.org | Disciples Mourn Loss of Prominent African American Leader

["Wilma Shufitt" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date:  January 8, 2003
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Melinda Mains
Phone: 317-713-2496
E-mail: mmains@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

INDIANAPOLIS January 8, 2003 -- Former Moderator for the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) and prominent African American leader, the
Rev. K. David Cole died January 7, in Chatsworth, Calif.  

Cole, the grandson of a "pioneer preacher of the Christian Church," was
born in Little Rock (Ark.) in 1928.  He served pastorates in North
Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

For more than 25 years, Cole was pastor of Swope Parkway United
Christian Church in Kansas City.  In 1980 the congregation was created
through a merger of predominantly white Swope Park Christian Church and
predominantly African American West Paseo Christian Church.

In addition to his term as denominational Moderator, Cole held a number
of leadership positions in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). 
He served on the General Board (three terms), the Administrative
Committee and Nominating Committee.  He was elected president of the
National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Served as board member for the National Benevolent Association and
Foxwood Springs Living Center.	Cole also served terms as moderator of
the Christian Church of Mid-America and the Christian Church of Greater
Kansas City.

Often honored for his leadership, including the Liberation Award
presented by the National Convocation, Cole was recognized as an
advocate for diversity and reconciliation. 

"David was a friend of more than 25 years. Not only a sought-after
preacher, but also an excellent leader, David served the church as both
a regional and general moderator and in a myriad of other roles. He
believed that all Disciples, regardless of race, should be church
together. K. David Cole will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate
enough to count him a friend and by all who care about justice. Our
thoughts and prayers are with Vi in this loss," said Richard L. Hamm,
general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ).

Cole has a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Scriptures,
Louisville and a bachelor of divinity from Brite Divinity School, Fort
Worth.

Cole is survived by his wife Vi and their five children.

Services are to be held on Monday, Jan. 13. A brief graveside service
will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Oakwood Park in Chatsworth, Calif., 22601
Lassen Street, telephone: 818-341-1427. A memorial service will follow
at the Woodland Hills Christian Church, 5920 Shoup Avenue, Woodland
Hills, Calif., beginning at 11:00 a.m., telephone: 818-340-5613.

A memorial service will also be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 11:00
a.m. at Swope Parkway United Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo., 6140
Swope Parkway, telephone: 816-363-1861

Expressions of love and sympathy may be sent to David's wife, Vi, and
the Cole family at 9512 Oakridge Place, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

					      -- end --

Contact:
Melinda Mains
317-713-2496
mmains@cm.disciples.org

03-01