Remembering James Cole, President of LAN 1992-1997

They called James Robert Cole a renaissance man: he was a civil engineer, an author, and a historian.  Mr. Cole, the President of LAN from 1992-1997, died last week at the age of 86. He worked for LAN for 40 years in Victoria and in Houston.

LAN Vice President Phil Meaders says he enjoyed working with and learning from Mr. Cole. Meaders remembers, “He would always say—with a smile: ‘Win more work, sign more contracts and have more fun.’ He was a good, friendly guy and good leader and an encourager.”

Meaders says Mr. Cole was with LAN when the company was a member of the joint venture design team for Houston Intercontinental Airport. “He was instrumental in leading that project for us.” Meaders adds, “He was also a big part of the transition when LEO A Daly acquired LAN.”

After retiring from LAN, Mr. Cole, a native of Victoria, took writing classes and wrote two novels.  He also served on the board of the Victoria Historic Preservation Society and wrote the “Vanished from Victoria” column in the Victoria Advocate newspaper on behalf of the Preservation Society.

For more on Mr. Cole’s life, please read the story in Victoria Advocate: Renaissance Man: Jim Cole’s passing leaves legacy of written works | News | victoriaadvocate.com.