Rosser Ryan "Bucky" Cole

Rosser Ryan "Bucky" Cole, 90, of Farmington, New Mexico passed away September 22, 2023, in Scottsdale, Arizona surrounded by his loving family.

Born April 26th, 1933, in Norman, Oklahoma, he was 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, Oklahoma, 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, Oklahoma. 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. He would say, "she was the best assistant I ever had."

On December 27th, 1958, at the First Presbyterian Church in Henryetta, Oklahoma, 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. They were the only two ophthalmologists in the greater Four Corners area at the time.

Rosser served the Farmington community in many capacities through the years. He was a beloved doctor to his many patients. His family still hear stories from people he helped throughout his career, from checking their vision, fitting them for glasses, to taking steel or other material out of their eyes and performing many cataract surgeries. 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. In his early years in Farmington, he would also be the doctor on call at San Juan Regional's emergency room to respond to any emergency situation.

In addition to his medical work, Rosser enjoyed music, poetry, and books. 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.

Rosser had many interests and hobbies throughout his life. He earned his pilot's license and enjoyed flying, skiing in Colorado, and sailing his Hobie Cat. Some may remember his little yellow MGB which he drove around Farmington for many years. He loved gardening, and he loved his many collections. After retiring from his medical practice, he began his genealogy research, finding out about his ancestors from England and Ireland through his family connections in Texas and Oklahoma. A gift he left future generations of our family.

He was a giver by nature and we were blessed to have him in our lives.

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.