The OMS Foundation was honored to receive a $25,000 legacy bequest on July 1 from the estate of Dr. James R. Cole II, a distinguished oral and maxillofacial surgeon whose lifetime of leadership and service helped shape the profession.
In a heartfelt note accompanying the gift, Dr. Cole’s daughter, Kimberly Cole Luevano, shared that her father directed a gift to the Foundation upon his passing. She wrote, “On behalf of my dad, thank you for all you do to further the profession and study of oral and maxillofacial surgery.”
Dr. Cole passed away on Feb. 4, 2026, at the age of 84. Following his service as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Dental Corps during the Vietnam War, he returned to his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., where he built a respected oral and maxillofacial surgery practice spanning more than three decades. Throughout his career, he dedicated countless hours to advancing the specialty through leadership, education, accreditation, licensure and professional service at the local, state and national levels. His many accomplishments reflected a deep commitment to excellence and to ensuring a strong future for oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Dr. Cole’s generous legacy gift will continue that commitment for generations to come by supporting the OMS Foundation’s mission to advance research, education and patient care.
The OMS Foundation gives its thanks to Dr. Cole and his family for this meaningful gift. His legacy will live on through the surgeons, researchers, educators and patients whose lives will be touched because of his vision and support.