Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)

Subject: Obit: Reagan Cole
From: Arkie
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 04:05 PM

I learned a few minutes ago of the death of Reagan Cole. While I did not know Reagan well, we did meet some years ago and he made a lasting impression. He was an important figure in Arkansas music as a performer and as one who promoted concerts for others. Reagan was one of the founders of the Little Rock Folk Club. Since he has been previously mentioned in Mudcat threads, I am sure there are some Mudcatters who either knew him or knew of him. Here is one brief obituary from a Eureka Springs paper:

 "Reagan Cole, a former resident of Eureka Springs, died unexpectedly, in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 6 while he and his wife Lynn were visiting their daughter.

  Cole was a folk musician known for his acerbic wit. He was once detained in the Mountain View jail for picking up pop bottles on the courthouse lawn during the city's annual Folk Festival. He asked for his guitar and raised bail money by singing about his plight to festival goers touring the old jail.

  A musical memorial service will be held in Little Rock in September."

Here is one link from the Pickoids, a band which once had Reagan as a member before he moved from Arkansas to North Carolina.

Reagan Memorial

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: Janie
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 10:01 AM

I'm very sorry to learn this news, Arkie, and upset with myself that I am just now learning of it. I did not know him well or long, but he was a treat.

Reagan was a central figure in the Triangle Folksong Society here in the Raleigh - Durham - Chapel Hill area. He was a fine musician, had an unusual and large collection of songs, and was very welcoming and encouraging of all who love folk music, even rank amateurs like me.

He often attended music jams and song circles at Dani's restaurant. He and his wife, Lynn, hosted a monthly music circle at their home in Durham. Just recently I was thinking about the one time that Dani & I went, and was wondering about getting a Tuesday night clear to go again.

Not long after I met him, Kendall came down to visit and I had a dinner party in his honor. Reagan and Lynn brought fresh pasta dough and the gizmo to cut it with. The pre-dinner entertainment was watching them prepare and cut the pasta to go with sauce I had made.

I had not seen Reagan in probably a year. Sometime this spring, Dani mentioned that she had bumped into him and expressed concern that he did not look well at all.

Rest in Peace, Reagan.

Janie

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 20
From: Janie
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 09:55 PM

Here is a more detailed obituary from the Raleigh News & Observer. I'm copying it because I had to pay for a one-day access to the archived obituary, so the link wouldn't be good for long.

Thanks for the Picktoid link, Arkie. It was good to listen.


Kenneth Reagan Cole



Kenneth Reagan Cole, age 60, of Durham, NC, died June 6, 2008.
Born December 13, 1947 in Little Rock, AR to K.E.N. Cole, Jr. and Helen Reagan Cole, Reagan was interested in everything around him. He was an eagle scout. His was an active participant in the fledgling Rackensack Folklore Society by his junior high years. His passion for the traditional music of his native state led him to start constructing banjos and guitars at 14. He lived and worked in Little Rock and Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Ireland; and Durham, NC. Reagan earned a Biology degree ('71) from Antioch College. He worked as a luthier, building and repairing musical instruments for several years. He then returned to school for a Master's degree in Instrumentation Science and a Ph.D. ('99) in Applied Science from the University of Arkansas Graduate Institute of Technology. His dissertation research resulted in a patented Versatile Particle Analyzer.
Reagan and his wife, Lynn moved to Durham, NC in 2000 for Reagan's National Research Council Fellowship at the U.S E.P.A. in Research Triangle Park. Following his time at the EPA, Reagan joined the NC Museum of Life and Science as an Exhibits Engineer until late 2007.
Reagan was a founding member of Little Rock Folk Club and in North Carolina, joined the board of the Triangle Folk Music Society. With both organizations, he produced Celtic, British and American folk concerts.
Reagan was perhaps described best by his late father who wrote in 1967 that his 20 year-old son: "is a mature and moral youngster who has always been willing to break away from the crowd to stand on his own moral principles. He is an extremely intelligent person, well read and has a very bright future in the scientific research field. Reagan is neither a conformist, nor a coward. He is not a member of any group that requires conformity; because he insists on doing his own thinking. He is not a beatnik, hippie, communist, Presbyterian, Democrat or Republican which he has been taught to believe is his constitutional privilege." It was his nonconformist ideals, his boundless curiosity and creative intellect which contributed to his amazing abilities as an inventor, a scientist, a husband, a father, and a musician.
To many, Reagan will best be remembered for his music, particularly for his distinctive interpretations of both traditional and contemporary folk. Reagan had a unique musical style as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of music for which he will be sorely missed.
Reagan is preceded in death by his parents, K.E.N. Cole, Jr., and Helen Regan Cole and his youngest brother, Ed Andrew Cole.
He is survived by his loving wife of more than 30 years, Susan Lynn Cole; two children, Helen Vada Susan Cole and Joseph Ed Cole; a brother, Roy David Cole; and one granddaughter.
Donations may be made to Special Collections of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to support the conservation and digitization of folklorist, Mary Parler's field recordings of Ozark folk songs and tales: University of Arkansas Libraries, Development Office, 365 N. McIlroy Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701-4002. Please note "Mary Parler" in the memo line.

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:53 AM

To set the record straight, early member of the Little Rock Folk Club, not a founder, as Len Holton corrected; my mistake:
"He was an early member of Little Rock Folk Club. He served as the club's soundman par excellence, performer, President, webmaster, equipment repairer and ambassador."

We had weekly jam sessions at our home in Durham, which continue still, though nomadic for the time being. As Reagan said, "there should always be a jam."

Thank you for paying tribute here.

Information about the memorial can be found on the Little Rock Folk Club web site, for those of you in central Arkansas.
L. Cole

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 06:11 AM

Thank you for your post, Lynn.

Please accept my condolences. Reagan was always so sweet, even courtly, when we met, and I always enjoyed hearing him sing and play.

His efforts (and, presumably, yours : ) to keeping folk music happening in the Triangle are a tremendous contribution, and I hope the baton will be picked up and carried on as well.

He had a right spirit about making music that serves as a wonderful example to all, and an especial encouragement to those of us who just make music 'cause we have to, not because of any particular talent or ability.

That spirit will be missed. I, for one, will raise a few tunes in his memory at the Getaway in a few weeks.

Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 06:38 AM

PS: when I went out for a run this morning, here's what was in my head, unbidden:

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: Fortunato
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:04 AM

Dani,

Is this the same Reagan Cole we met when Susette and I played at your restaurant?

If so, I have a recording he sent me of his playing.
In any case, my sincere condolences. Sorry to hear.
Chance

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: Arkie
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 12:57 PM

Lynn, I also thank you for your post. At such times one often hopes for the right words and to bring some ease. Here at Mudcat we can at least offer a tribute to those who have shared a life of music and have had a meaningful impact on the community. Reagan did make a memorable and favorable impact on those he met. I met him once in Mountain View, most likely the same weekend he was a guest of the city. I think he was living in Eureka Springs at the time. The later contacts were through others or the media, so I was aware of his presence in Little Rock and of your move to North Carolina. A loss for Arkansas, but a big gain for the Tarheel state.

Janie, thank you for your post from the Raleigh News & Observer. My search for an obituary only turned up the short piece from Eureka Springs. I had first seen a notice about Reagan on his friend Red Neckerson's website.

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 08:10 PM

One and the same, Chance. I'd forgotten he was there.

I've been looking all over for that cd, it's here somewhere but I can't find it.

Will you please look up and see who wrote "Arkansas Flyers"?

Also, I heard somewhere that there is a memorial service scheduled for September 13. Lynn, if you check in again, will you please give us more details?

Thanks,

Dani

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 08:43 PM

Below is the invitation sent last evening, Sept. 13 in LR. We had a wonderful wake on Tuesday, June 10th, following the weekly jam schedule. There is a Google groups list now that keeps the rhythm going, thanks to Chuck Snider, find it at: http://groups.google.com/group/triangle-folk-jam?lnk=gcimv

There has been talk of putting together a 2nd cd. The Pickoids site noted by Arkie has all the cuts from "Down the Road from Arkansas". I'm seeking recordings of Reagan. I've got several, and know of more out there.
*************************************************************
Please pass this invitation along to those who should also be included. There are many friends of Reagan's for whom I have no contact information, and some I don't know at all. Please pardon any duplicate emailings. Thank you, Lynn Cole

Dear Friends
On Saturday, September 13th, we'll be gathering to celebrate the life, independent spirit, keen mind and Arkansas-oriented but always eclectic music of Kenneth Reagan Cole, who left us far too soon. We know Reagan would favor a lively evening of conversation and music. Little Rock Folk Club has archival video of Reagan in concert recorded in the early 90s when Reagan opened for Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick at the Oyster Bar and audio soundtracks of KR Cole to get things started. We would be gravely amiss not to have a rousing jam session to properly commemorate Reagan. The Cole living rooms in Arkansas and North Carolina reverberated with the music of friends for years. Let us sing him out properly!

Donations in memory of Reagan to the special collections at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Library benefiting the Mary Parler Collection have been bountiful. Due to this generosity, the Library felt it appropriate to recognize Reagan also. They plan to include recordings of some of his interpretations of Ozarkiana on the Parler web site. In addition, Library Archivist, Felicia Thomas will be conducting short oral history interviews about Reagan at the memorial gathering on Saturday, the 13th. We hope some of you will contribute tales of times passed with Reagan.

A number of people have mentioned having recordings of him. If you have some, please contact Lynn via email: (cole.lynn[at]earthlink.net).

We look forward to visiting with you and sharing memories, music and friendship,

Lynn, Joe and Helen Cole
Please join us:
Saturday, September 13th 6:00 – 11:00 PM
Thompson Hall
Unitarian Universalist Church
1818 Reservoir Road
Little Rock, AR

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 20
From: Janie
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 12:05 AM

I can't get to Arkansas then, Lynn, but will definitely be there in spirit.   

Have you moved back to Arkansas, or are you still living in Durham? The few times we met, I so enjoyed basking in your quiet, warm spirit.

Blessings and peace to you and your children.

Janie Endres

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 08 - 09:49 PM

Janie,
I am now in Queens, NY where Reagan and I were about to move when he died. We were at our daughters in Brooklyn, looking for an apartment in early June.

We had many fine evenings with good food and music in Hillsborough. thanks for being a big part of that. Now that I've settled into job and apartment here, it's time to look for music here. If you're ever up this way, get in touch.

Lynn

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 20
From: GUEST,Elaine Burks
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 10:45 AM

A long story short...I was reading a review of 2008 obits in Eureka Springs paper and saw that Reagan had died in June. We had lost touch with Reagan and Lynn many years back, even though we lived in the same city.

We knew him before he married Lynn and for a short time afterwards. Aside from his musical side, he was a brilliant, scientific person with whom I loved to carry on conversations and listen to his point of view. He and Lynn seemed so extremely different from one another and most people were so surprised when they married. I knew Lynn way back when she taught ballet classes in Eureka. They were such a wonderful couple. I wish Lynn and her family well after such a great loss. Take care, Lynn and good luck in New York! Elaine

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST,Steve Blasingame
Date: 26 Mar 10 - 11:12 AM

Dear Reagan;
Word travels slow when one is far away.
Has it really been 30 years?
Please deliver hugs to your mom and dad and Ed from me.
Thank you for your friendship, for your kind, humble and free spirit.
You shrugged off your burdens and your quick smile never met a stranger.
You are a gift for you never kept your talents under a bushel.
Your light shined wherever you were and I am grateful for it.

Peace,
Steve Blasingame
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST,Karen Pereira (Dales0
Date: 04 May 11 - 04:16 PM

I am so sorry to hear of Reagan's death. We were friends as youngsters and I was with him and friends in Mountain View the year he got arrested for picking up pop bottles. He was always a hoot and a wonderful resource for any information on folk music. He even tried to teach me the guitar. What a sweetheart. Again, I am so sorry. Karen Dales

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: lynnc
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 12:18 AM

Hello Karen,
Thank you for your note about Reagan, always wonderful to connect by even the most tenuous of threads with old friends of his.
I don't think we've ever met, I'm Reagan's wife. I've known the Mtn View story, of course. The last few years, different people told me that Reagan was bailed out of jail by George Fisher or Jimmy Driftwood. Do you recall details? singing his way out of jail is a great story, just wonder if that was really the case.

At long last, I'm getting some of Reagan's music on line, ever so slowly. Here's a link to "One Kind Favor", aka "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean.

http://www.youtube.com/user/slcarncny?feature=mhee

Lynn

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: lynnc
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 12:24 AM

Let's try that again, new to this , finally signed up. Here's an actual link:

Reagan sings One Kind Favor

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: Janie
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 05:45 AM

Dang, lynne, thanks for posting that. So good to hear Reagan's music again. Hope there will be more to come.

Hope you are doing well, and Welcome Aboard the Mudcat!

Janie

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 12:10 AM

Here's another youtube link. This was the first youtube I put up of Reagan, originally in response to the songs for the end of the world on NPR leading up to the May 21 rapture. Well, we're all still around to sing and play and listen. Have been intending to get to this for a while. A friend called last year to express her surprise in not finding Reagan on line, or at least easy to find.

Galveston Had a Seawall or Mighty Storm

How's life in Hillsboro? Do you know Bill and Diff? If not, you should.

Lynn

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST,Karen Pereira (Dales)
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 10:09 PM

Thank you very much for the reply to my post. No, I never met you but I wish I could. I knew Reagan when I was around 17 (born 1948) whatever that might tell you. When he was arrested in Mountain View, we had all been at the square for the late afternoon, when he was "disobedient" and picked up the trash. He was playing and singing in that nasty jail, bars for windows and water all over the floor. It was a stone building out on the grounds of the courthouse. Driftwood (actually James Morris) was there, but I don't remember George Fisher. A lot of people came by and gave Reagan money, partly because they just didn't want to see him in jail for picking up pop bottles, partly because he was entertaining everyone. He was a great friend and I find it sad that I waited until I was older (and hopefully smarter) to finally find out what happened to him and to remember and appreciate him. Thank you again. Karen Pereira Dales

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: Janie
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 10:23 PM

Not in Hillsborough anymore, Lynn, though nearby in Mebane. Virtually a recluse outside of work.

Keep putting up those recordings of Reagan.

Not to mention any music you yourself might be making.

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 11:31 PM

Helen Cole: I am looking for a Helen Cole from the School of Metaphysics in St. Louis,(St. Johns Suburb, MO.). She is about 66 years old. I don't suppose the Coles are related to her. I am Larry Menner in Homeland, CA. My phone number is 951-926-4379. Please let me know if you know her.

Larry Menner
26040 Sultanas Rd.
Homeland, CA. 92548

Thank You, Larry Menner

Subject: RE: Obit: Arkansas Musician Reagan Cole (6 June 2008)
From: lynnc
Date: 11 Aug 11 - 12:33 AM

Hello Larry,

My Helen Cole is recently turned 30, no connections in St. Louis other than a visit. Reagan's cousin created an extensive genealogy (back to the 1300's or so), no relations in St. Louis.

Good luck with your search!
Lynn