UPDATE:

Visitation and Memorial Service for Pastor Don and Naomi Cole—Naomi Cole, the beloved wife of retired Moody Radio Pastor Don Cole, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 18, two weeks after Pastor Cole died. A public visitation and memorial service for Don and Naomi will be held at Wheaton Bible Church (27W500 North Ave., West Chicago, IL 60185) on Friday, Aug. 31. The visitation will be from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., and the public memorial service will take place from 2–3:30 p.m. (The burial service will be private.)

On Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, Don Cole, retired Moody Radio Pastor, died at the age of 89 from complications due to Parkinson's disease.

"Pastor Don Cole was a faithful servant of the Lord and the imprint that his life and ministry left on this world for the gospel of Jesus Christ will never be fully measured by man," said Dr. Paul Nyquist, president of Moody. "The Moody community is praying for his family at this time, and joining with them in celebrating a life lived well for the Lord."

Before serving as Moody Radio Pastor, Don and his wife, Naomi, along with their three children were missionaries in Angola, Africa for 18 years. Not able to return due to a change in the government, they stayed in the United States in 1966 and he later joined the faculty of Emmaus Bible College in Oak Park, Ill..

Looking for someone to communicate the foundational truths of God's Word in a personable, understandable way, Moody Radio invited Don to step in as Moody Radio Pastor for Robert J. Little who was retiring after 17 years of service. Don's gentle, honest manner during Open Line, a Bible question-and-answer broadcast that he hosted from 1982-2008, proved to be a source of hope for many listeners, even children.

Reflecting on his life, vice president of Moody Radio, Collin Lambert, said, "From the first moment I met Pastor Cole, I knew I was standing in the presence of a spiritual giant." He added, "Despite that, he was one of the most humble, loving, caring men I've ever known. His love of God's Word and his love for people were ever present. He will be truly missed."

In addition to Open Line which Pastor Cole concluded hosting on Monday, April 28, 2008, he was also involved with the Christian Perspectives on the News broadcast, verse-by-verse Bible studies in The Living Word, and insightful commentaries toward the end of his career. In 1998 he received The William Ward Ayer Distinguished Service Award, and was later inducted in the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2006. He authored books including How to Know You're Saved, Thirsting for God, Basic Christian Faith and many more.

To honor Pastor Cole's life and ministry, Moody Radio is airing, "Remembering Pastor Cole," a one-hour special broadcast on its 36 owned and operated stations and select affiliates. It can be streamed online for free at www.moodyradio.org/specials. Audio excerpts from the radio ministry of Pastor Cole including Open Line, Christian Perspectives On The News, The Living Word, along with a review of his work in Angola, will be featured on the broadcast.

In addition, Moody Radio's national program, Chris Fabry Live!, will air a two-hour tribute to Pastor Don Cole from 2-4 p.m. (CT) on Monday, Aug. 6. To locate a Moody Radio station in your area, please visit www.moodyradio.org/stations.

If you would like to leave your condolences, comments or share a story of how Pastor Cole impacted your life, you may do so at the Pastor Don Cole Memorial Facebook page.

For more information about the life and ministry of Pastor Don Cole, please visit www.moodyradio.org .