James Randolph Cole II, DDS passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the age of 84 years after a short battle with metastatic bone cancer. The son of Orrel Brooks Cole and James R. Cole, Jim was born in Albuquerque on May 19, 1941. Attending the Trudelle Kindergarten School in the old Huning Castle, University Heights Elementary School, and Jefferson Junior High, he graduated from Highland High School in 1959 and received his undergraduate degree in Biology/Chemistry from the University of New Mexico in 1963. While attending UNM, he was a member and Vice President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was elected to both the Junior, Senior, and Biology honorary societies. He received his graduate degree of Doctor of Dental Science with honors from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1967 and was elected to Omicron Kappa Epsilon National Dental Honorary. After serving a dental internship and a three-year tour as a Captain in the US Air Force Dental Corps during the Viet Nam War, he completed a postgraduate three-year residency and received a certificate in Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He then returned home to establish a private practice in that specialty for the next thirty-six years, retiring as the senior partner of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates of New Mexico, the largest group practice in oral maxillofacial surgery in the state at the time.

As an active participant in his profession in dental examination, licensure, and accreditation, his volunteerism included serving as President of the Albuquerque District Dental Society, President of the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care, President of the New Mexico Society of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons, President of The Western Regional Examining Board, President of the American Association of Dental Boards, Chair of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and Chair of the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.

He was a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, a Life Fellow of the American Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons, a Life Fellow of both the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists, a Life Member of the Albuquerque District Dental Society, the New Mexico Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.

He was a recipient of the American Association of Dental Boards "Citizen of the Year Award," The American Dental Educators Association "Presidential Citation," The Western Regional Examining Boards "David S. Low Service Award," and the UMKC Dental Alumni Associations "Alumnus of the Year."

He authored/ co-authored numerous peer reviewed papers that were published in the Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, the Journal of the American College of Dentistry, and the Journal of Dental Education, as well as Guidance Documents for scoring and analysis of dental / dental hygiene clinical licensure examinations and continued competency for use by the American Association of Dental Boards.

Jim was an avid downhill skier, mountain biker, and wood worker/carver. A winner of a Best of Show in Woodcarving in the New Mexico State Fair, he and his artist friend and longtime companion, Joann Francomano exhibited their miniature dioramas in the juried Miniatures and More, and ArtsThrive Shows at the Albuquerque Museum for several years.

He is survived by his daughter, Kristin L. Holliday, her husband, Tim, and their children, Ashley, Keilah, James, Susannah, Lydia, and Sarah; his daughter, Kimberly S. Luevano, her husband, Charles, and their sons Jonathan and Christian; nine great grandchildren; and his brother, Richard, his wife, Linda, and their sons, Christopher and Andrew. An admirer of West Highland White Terriers, and previous master to four, he leaves his current pet, Finley--"Finn", to be adopted by family.

A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 2:30pm at FRENCH- Lomas, 10500 Lomas Blvd., NE, followed by a private burial. Jim and his family give thanks for the loving care of High Desert Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, Jim asks for donations in his memory to a charity or foundation of choice. Jim's memory lives in the hearts and minds of the many colleagues, friends and patients who knew him.