Garry T. Cole

Dr. Garry T. Cole, respected professor and researcher, husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully on the 18th of October 2026 after a long and full life of 85 years. He was born in Ontario, Canada.

A proud Canadian and American citizen, his professional life was devoted to science and education. A world-renowned mycologist, he was a pioneer in his field researching vaccinations that ultimately would save or prolong the lives of many. As a tenured professor for five decades, he taught, researched, and led teams at the University of Texas at Austin, the Medical College of Ohio, and the University of Texas at San Antonio where he retired as an endowed chair in 2015.

He published over 200 journal articles and co-edited/co-authored four books during his distinguished career. He regularly attended international conferences and was often invited to guest lecture about his work. As a leader in his field, he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology, who recognized his ground-breaking research in fungal biology and vaccines for valley fever. He received the esteemed Rhoda Benham Award from the Medical Mycological Society of the Americas for his lifetime contributions to medical mycology.

Always curious about the world and an avid traveller, his profession took him around the globe giving him the opportunity to live and work in Europe, Asia, and many parts of the Americas. He later travelled for leisure to places where wildlife and nature’s landscape were the features. A dedicated athlete, he spent much of his life, even in his later years, skiing, skating, playing tennis, golfing, hiking, and walking in his neighbourhood. Blessed with a wonderful sense of humour, he was happiest surrounded by friends and family enjoying a good meal, a glass of wine and warm conversation. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy, of 62 years, his two daughters, Heather and Allison, son-in-law, Chris and his three grandchildren, Alexandra, Hazel, and Violet. Donations to the Parkinsons Foundation are gratefully received in his name.