Ralph Cole

Ralph Orting Cole, 91, passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the VA Mountain View Living Center in Sheridan, WY. 

Ralph was born on February 5^th, 1933, in Baggs, Wyoming to Earl and Pearl (Shaffer) Cole. He grew up and went to school in Wyoming.  After his schooling he worked in the oil fields and in 1953 he joined the US Army and served in post-war Korea.  He received an honorable discharge in 1955 and returned to live in Colorado and Baggs, Wyoming. His work took him to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he met Irene Rucki, the love of his life, at Lee’s Café in Sheridan. They were married on October 10^th, 1969, in Sheridan, where they made their home and Ralph worked in the oil fields as a driller.  Ralph and Irene started their ranching career in 1975 and bought a ranch on Countant Creek east of Sheridan. Ralph quit the oil fields in the late 1980s and went into the custom haying business. Irene passed away in August 2019 and Ralph continued living in Sheridan until his death.

Ralph had a compassion for his animals, which sparked an article in the newspaper about how he drove to Gillette each day and went straight to taking care of his cows. Raph was dedicated to the riggs and often times would blow the road closed gates getting to the riggs. 

He is survived by four sons, Dean Cole (Jen), Brad Cole (Faith) all of Sheridan, Ralph Cole Jr., David Cole, both of Colorado; two daughters, Carol Cole of Buffalo and Lois Ann Grenier (Chuck) of Colorado; his grandchildren, Deblin, Witten, Kasyn Cole and Joe and Dan Grenier.  He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his brothers and sisters.

Funeral services for Ralph will be held Tuesday, August 6^th at 10:00 a.m. at the Ramada Inn Plaza in Sheridan, Wyoming with Pastor Tom Saur officiating. The inurnment will be at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the Sheridan Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, August 5^th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Ralph’s family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the staff at Mountain View Living Center staff who took care of their loved one with so much love and compassion. Online condolences may be made at www.sheridanfuneral.com or www.harnessfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.