Timothy Cole

Timothy Aaron Cole

November 18, 1955 ~ July 22, 2021

Timothy Aaron Cole (65), of Layton, Utah, was at home on Thursday 22 July 2021 when he passed from this side of the veil to the other, reuniting with friends and family there. He’d struggled for years with heart and lung disease.

Timothy (Tim) was born in Ogden, Utah, on 18 November 1955 to parents Robert Wayne Cole and Shirley Louie Miller. He was the fourth of six children and had fond memories of growing up not far from the present location of the Ogden Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a towhead whose hair eventually turned dark brown. He also sported a tasteful mustache nearly all of his life.

He married Margie LeAnna Eggli on 18 March 1977 and was blessed with a premature-born son, Timothy Jr., the following August. Another son, Matthew, joined their family in February of 1980. Tim and Margie spent many happy years together, but eventually, they separated in 1994.

Tim found his true love and eternal companion in Wendee Sue Dahl, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 5 May 1995. This marriage was the source of much joy for both, and Timothy gained a cherished daughter, Catalyn. Wendee and Timothy were each other’s yin and yang, perfectly complimenting one another, and their union blessed both their families.

Tim was initially trained as a welder in the National Guard and continued working as a welder from Wyoming to the Great Salt Lake. He took pride in his welding and the complex jobs with which he was involved. He also worked at the Lay-Z-Boy factory in Tremonton, at ATK Thiokol in Promontory, Utah, and most recently worked in the oil fields of North Dakota. Tim would often use his welding and handyman skills to help others, especially family and friends. His son Matthew benefitted from Tim’s welding skills as they worked on projects throughout the years. Of particular note was his exemplary work in building the wood-burning stove installed in the home he and Margie built by hand in Tremonton.

Spaghetti with meat sauce was his favorite meal throughout his life. It was even chosen as the wedding dinner entree for his first marriage. It was definitely a staple meal for his children and continued to be his preferred meal. He’d make large batches of it and eat it throughout the week. One such time he took it every day to work for lunch. His co-workers felt terrible for him, and he, in jest, led them to believe his wife, Wendee, was mad at him and wouldn’t make him anything else for his lunches. Reportedly, the guys pulled together and took him out for lunch at least one time that week. Once Wendee heard of it, he was in a bit of jest-filled trouble himself.

Olives were not his favorite food, yet Tim would sneak olives off children’s plates at family gatherings in his unique way. This was part of his silly goofiness, which he constantly utilized to cheer up those around him and help them feel loved. Not only did his family benefit from this approach, but numerous wait staff in restaurants and healthcare staff were also regaled with his playful charm. Examples include teasing a waitress that there was a hole in his water cup, to which the waitress would apologize. He’d then inform her that it was okay because it was at the top of the cup and allowed him to drink out of it. Then, he’d also ask for a ‘bunch’ of straws. His children would try to tell the waitress not to bring them, but the waitresses always seemed to give in, and he’d soon be pelting the kids with straw wrappers blown from the straws like a blow dart.

This playfulness was ingrained in him and always brought a smile, never to anyone’s detriment. For instance, he’d offer to help you tie your shoes and then would proceed to untie them or lace them together instead. Or he’d offer to help you put your coat on, only for you to find the arms had been tied together.

Tim was fond of his family, both old and new. He spoke of his childhood, albeit a humble one, as a place filled with love. He cared for his siblings throughout his life. He, as a father, was proud of his children and particularly fond of his grandchildren, who could count on a jug of chocolate milk always being available when they visited.

Timothy is survived by his spouse Wendee, two sons, Timothy Aaron (Amber) Cole Jr. of Kenai, Alaska, and Matthew Dale (Shantel) Cole of Elwood, Utah, and daughter Catalyn (Stephen) Crookston of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and grandchildren; Wyatt Cole, Luke Cole, Noah Cole, Tayla Cole, McKinley Cole, Mattisyn Cole, Maverik Cole, Ilyana Crookston, and Eero Crookston, as well as a brother Robert “Bobby” Wayne Cole Jr.

Timothy was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Shirley "Marlene" Anderson, Barry Dale Cole, Joseph Wiley Cole, Penny Lynn Cole, his father-in-law Weston Dahl, and nephew Jarom Weston Jones.

Graveside Services will be held at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Road, Layton, UT 84041 on Saturday, 7 August 2021, at 11:00 a.m.

It can be accessed electronically at: Join Zoom Meeting

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The family would like to give special thanks to healthcare workers who, over the years, have miraculously given us additional time with Tim. He never enjoyed being in the hospital, but he certainly made the best of it as he playfully joked with the staff to bring a smile to their faces.