Stanley Gordon Cole

PAUL - Stanley Gordon Cole, 70, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Paul, Idaho, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters that were his caregivers and family that kept watch over him until our Heavenly Father called him home.

Stanley was born on July 3, 1944, in Rupert, Idaho, to Noble and Pauline Wageman Cole. He was the third oldest of six children to be raised on the family farm west of Paul. Stanley, along with his siblings, learned to work hard planting, irrigating, and milking cows. My dad had a passion for horses and hunting that would continue his entire life. Stanley graduated from Minico High School in 1962. He then attended electronic school for two years before enlisting in the United States Army. After completing basic training, he went on to advanced infantry training and officer candidate school. He attended airborne jump school earning his paratrooper wings and was assigned to the renowned 101st Airborne Division, officially known as the Screaming Eagles. He became a platoon leader in the division’s 326 Engineering Combat Battalion. He completed the Army’s Jungle Survival School in the Panama Canal zone prior to his unit’s deployment in South Vietnam in November 1967. After his tour’s completion, he joined the Army Reserves attending Rotary Wing School and was awarded Army Pilot Wings.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida in 1975, and his law degree from Ole Miss in 1978. Stan moved back to Idaho and set up his practice in Rupert. His passion continued for the military as he was affiliated with the Idaho Nation Guard, flew helicopters, completed Army Fixed Wing Flight School, flew multi-fixed wing aircraft, and eventually retired from the National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of service.

Living in Paul, Stanley married Carol Lynn Schmidt on Oct. 9, 1994, and they raised three beautiful daughters. He taught his girls and grandkids his passion for the outdoors, his passion for hunting and fishing, and his love for riding horses. He was a proud papa and loved his kids and grandkids more than life itself. He was a member of the Cassia County Sheriff’s Posse for many years and an active member of the Central Church of Christ in Rupert. We will forever miss the loving man that my mom called the love of her life, the grandkids call Papa, and who we call Daddy. We miss you and can’t wait to see you again.

Stanley is survived by his loving wife, Carol Cole; his daughters, Staci Cole (Preston Arthur), Amber (Jeremy) Smith, and Stephanie Eads all of Paul, Brandi (Dustin) Moore of Boise, and Sheila Franks of Twin Falls; one son, Rick (Kim) Cole of Kimberly; two sisters, Jackie (Brent) Catmull of Paul, and Lois (Gary) Pickrel of Boise; two brothers, Sterling Cole of Twin Falls, and Robert (Patrice) Cole of Goodyear, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Shirley of Boise; his mother-in-law, Birdine Schmidt of Burley; as well as 22 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Noble and Pauline Cole; his brother, Ronald Cole; his daughter, Constance Noel Lynn Cole; a niece, Christy Ann Catmull; his father-in-law, Bill G. Schmidt; as well as many aunts and uncles.

We want to thank our family and friends who stood by our side day and night. We also express appreciation to the Minidoka Memorial Home Health and Hospice, and nurses, Lacy, Suzanne, Joy, and Kathy, for their support and kindness to our dad and our family, and to our dear friend, Jackie Adams, for your help caring for our dad.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley. Burial will be in the Paul Cemetery with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the Rasmussen Funeral Home.