John Cole Aga was born in Deadwood to Carl and Helen (Kinghorn) Aga on April 19, 1950. His older siblings wanted to name him Jesse Cole after Jesse James and Cole Younger, but a compromise had to be reached with the folks, so John Cole was finally settled upon. His first year was spent at the "house across the creek" in Sturgis where he joined siblings Bob, Jim, Gladys and Kathy. When Carl became sheriff of Meade County the family moved into the old gothic courthouse in downtown Sturgis. His younger sister Lynda joined the family later that year.

John and Lynda often accompanied their dad during his logging operations around the hills and John was driving a skidding horse at the age of nine. Upon getting his learner's permit at 14, he began hauling logs on a diesel logging truck.

His childhood years weren't all work. John developed a love for books early on and would remain an ardent reader throughout his life. His parents also fostered a love for music and, by the time he was in high school, his band was practicing in the family garage and playing at the school dance. Music remained a constant throughout his life, and he played many venues over many decades. Although he had an appreciation for numerous genres of music, it was always classic rock for the win. He had a powerful voice. The five-string bass guitar was his favorite instrument to play.

Growing up in Sturgis, the lazy days of summer also meant plenty of fishing and baseball. He and Gail, his high school sweetheart turned wife, enjoyed fishing and camping throughout their marriage. He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan. When it came to football, his team was Notre Dame.

Few people are as naturally mechanically-inclined as John was. When he could barely speak, he was asking for a ""lectric saw and a 'lectric trill" for Christmas. As he entered his junior high years, cars – specifically muscle cars – captured his interest. It was the 60s and cool guys had cool cars. Cool guys who couldn't afford cool cars built their own. The 1971 red Chevelle he built was the car he took the most pride in. His love of power and speed, along with attention to detail, made it stand out in the crowd.

John's work ethic was admirable. He worked in several different industries over the decades and excelled in all of them. In 1977, while running Dickenson's Sawmill, John's father died after a logging accident. He ended up being late for his dad's funeral because he had to get the mill up and running for the crew. He knew people were counting on him. Other work endeavors included building roads for new logging operations and working as a heavy equipment field mechanic for Quinn Construction. His final job was working with his sister in the roofing industry. He could look up and accurately measure a roof within a bundle of shingles without ever setting foot on the roof.

John was a daily Mass altar server at St. Martin's and St. Francis of Assisi from the time he was a little boy through high school. In recent years, he read his bible regularly and saw his priest often. He passed on to eternity less than 24 hours after having received the Last Rites.

There is so much more that could be said. John was loyal. He was a great storyteller. He was inquisitive and had a lifelong love of learning. He called things as he saw them and made no apologies for doing so. His dry sense of humor would catch a person off guard and have them in stitches. He was loving and he was loved.

We'll let him end this with his own words…

"There's a bunch of it I would like to live over again. Escape into the past. Change who I am, go back to who I was, enjoy the good, learn from the bad."

John has now been reunited with his wife Gail; his parents; his brothers, Bob and Jim; his sister Gail; as well as numerous other relatives, friends and bandmates. He was ready to go and, no doubt, is rejoicing greatly upon meeting the Lord face-to-face.

John leaves behind his sons, Tom (Lindsey) and Mike; his daughters, Cindy and Heidi; multiple grandchildren; his sisters, Gladys, Kathy (Dwight), and Lynda (John); many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews; and more friends than most people could dream of.

Services are as follows, both led by Father Timothy Castor:

Friday, September 19, 6:00 PM – rosary service at St. Martin's Chapel in Sturgis

Saturday, September 20, 11:00 AM – graveside committal service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in St. Onge

Please feel free to view the following memorial video that he, himself had a part in creating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCXAW7KxxYw