William Kenneth Cole Jr. passed beyond this life early Wednesday, November 13, 2024. He was surrounded by loved ones as he passed. A former resident of Taylorsville, Utah, Ken is survived by his beloved wife of sixteen years Linda C Cole; daughter Cynthia Cole, son Cory Cole (Shelby), daughter Julie Goodsell (Justin), sister Christine Richins (Randy), and several grandchildren. Ken remarried in 2008 and welcomed Linda's daughter Noelle Gardner and her children into his family.
He graduated from West High School in 1964, and he served in the United States National Guard. Ken started his career at Kennecott in the late 1960's and after earning a college degree he became a purchasing agent and retired after 35 years. Ken received many achievement awards from Kennecott as well as JetBlue, where he worked for seventeen years as a reservationist. He finished out his career as a real estate appraiser.
A very classy gentleman, Ken set a standard of excellence for himself but did not judge others; he was a tremendously passionate and giving man, with a special fondness for children. He loved to talk and tell stories. Ken taught Little League baseball for seventeen years. Ken was a member of the University of Utah Crimson Club for several decades, and went to countless football and basketball games, highlighted by the 2009 Sugar Bowl. Most sports were a major part of Ken's life.
One of Ken's passions besides sports was family. He dedicated a huge part of his life to guiding his children and grandchildren along life's path, and he loved to gather his family around for barbeques, picnics, and sports events. Nothing was more valuable to him than his three children. Ken enjoyed happiness, both his own and that of those around him. He was likeable, trustworthy, honest, and above all a very good man.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E 10600 S (Dimple Dell Rd) Sandy, UT 84092. Food will be served from 10:00 AM to the conclusion of the service. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or to American Red Cross in his honor.
Guestbook/Condolences
My deepest condolences to Ken's family. I'm so grateful that that I got to meet him and his family. Ken was such a beautiful, gentle soul. Even as he aged and became fragile, there was always a sense of greatness about him. My mother and I will miss him. 💙
I grew up with Ken, he was a great kid, didn't see him much after high school because of my work. All of us loved Ken and
His mom and dad, there home was always open. I miss them all.
Classy gentleman, really good guy, honest, and a pleasure to know and work with. I worked with Ken at Kennecott for 20 plus years. I was his supervisor at one point, we both left Kennecott about the same time 1997 and went on to other careers. I had talked with Ken a few times since he left Kennecott, its hard to find enough good words to say about Ken. Best wishes to his Wife and family.