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Remembering George Cole

George Cole, "The Father of KPBX," passed away on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 at age 71, from acute myeloid leukemia.

George and his wife Susie began what would become Spokane's first public radio station in the basement of their South-Hill home in the early 1970s.

Although he was born in Spokane, the family moved to Laurel, Montana where he went to high school and college. His choice of degrees -- political science and history from University of Montana, later graduate courses and international business at U of Montana and University of San Diego -- show the curiosity about the world that would spark an interest in community radio.

The ten-watt station KPBX was broadcast from a pole in the Cole's back yard. Some of the station's 75 volunteers would come through their living room all evening to spin records and and evening, Susie and George remembered at Spokane Public Radio's 25 anniversary party.

More about the start of Spokane Public Radio

George’s company, Media West, Inc., focused on marketing and fundraising for non-profits. Clients included Washington State Dept. of Health, Spokane’s Transit Authority and Riverfront Park, the City of Imperial Beach, the International Executive Service Corps, the SDSU Foundation, and Yellowstone Public Radio.

At various points in his professional career, George worked as a television/radio reporter and anchor, community college instructor, speech writer for Governor Thomas Judge (Montana), and economic development advisor in California and for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, DC and San Diego with assignments in Mexico, Central and Latin America, and south Asia.  His career included communication positions at San Diego State University, the Washington State Community College System, Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University.  In Montana and Washington State, during his broadcast career, Cole hosted and produced over 300 biographical interviews.   

In 2000, George was named development director for Montana PBS, a statewide public television network.   Five years later he was a development officer for Central Washington University in Ellensburg and Seattle.    

Since his retirement in 2006, George’s avocations included abstract art, sculpture work, writing and the interview program “RealTime” on Yellowstone Public Radio.  In Arizona, he volunteered with the Phoenix Art Museum and the Arizona Talking Book Library.

Cole served nine years as a commissioner with the Spokane Housing Authority including three years as chair.  He was a volunteer board member with the Washington State ACLU, Planned Parenthood of Spokane, and KSPS-Spokane Public Television.  His  books include What to Do and Where to Go with Your Kids in Montana, A Survival Guide for the Liberated Man,  and Little Dogs Talk (an e book).  His articles have been published in regional magazines including Montana Quarterly and Montana Magazine.

George's dedication to founding and nurturing KPBX led to a U.S. Presidential Commendation. He also won awards from the Chicago International Film Festival, the Greater Montana Foundation, and the Washington State Governor’s Award. He received  the 2010 Cornerstone Award from the Bozeman Public Library Foundation.

The family asked that memorial gifts be sent to Spokane Public Radio, Yellowstone Public Radio, Montana PBS, or the Bozeman Public Library Foundation.   

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