James "Jimmy" Stephen Cole

Jimmy was born to James Lawrence and Kathryn Lena Cole on August 9, 1952 in Emmett, Idaho. Jimmy passed away and received his wings on April 8, 2022 at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, age 69.

You just can’t cover “Jimmy Cole” in a few sentences! The family has decided that Jimmy’s life needs to be told, no matter how many words are used. Anyone who knew Jimmy will quickly recognize the part of Jimmy’s life they were involved in. Jimmy was a resident of Grant County for most of his life. He was a cowboy in every sense of the word: “Tough as a pine knot” and “soft as butter” all at the same time. In cowboy terms – “He always saddled his own horse!”

Jimmy was a “hell of a hand” in his day, he knew how to gather a pasture clean on the first pass and how to keep em’ mothered up when he got to the next one. He also excelled at team roping, traveling and roping at numerous ropings throughout the Northwest. He really enjoyed those years and could recall and relive them at any point in his life. Many of your names were included in these stories.

Jimmy’s favorite horse was Ole Baldy. He was an all-round horse with lots of speed and could run just as fast through the rocks and hillsides as he could in the arena. Some of Jimmy’s fondest memories were cowboying off him and gathering cattle on him alongside his father, Jim Cole. In fact, he roped the first buck deer he ever tagged off of Old Baldy. You would think remembering a horse that has been dead for close to fifty years at your time of passing would be a little odd, but not for Jimmy Cole! He planned on cowboying for an eternity and wanted us to know he will be well mounted!

Jimmy was a true believer in God. He lived in the “Valley of the Shadow of death” for most of his life as he was diagnosed with a crippling arthritis as a teenager. It would ravage his body and cripple him for the rest of his life. So, Jimmy set up camp in this valley and lived there for many years. His family and friends were his “Rod and Staff.” Despite his physical challenges, Jimmy was a fighter; he always knew God was in his corner. He never questioned God on why he had such a heavy load of pain and suffering in his life. He just took it with a smile and a joke. Jimmy figured that it was “his job and he was going to do the very best he could and give it his best shot.” God knows he did an exceptional job of it and he’s finally collecting his pay check now!

Jimmy was never married or a biological father; he didn’t have time or room for that. He was too busy being a son, a brother, a father figure, a brother–in– law, an uncle, and cousin. He claimed every nephew and niece as his own, and last, but far from least, he was a friend and coach to countless many! He was most happy with that. He always said he didn’t need to get married and have a family. He already had all he needed!

Jimmy always loved to tell stories; he had an unbelievable memory…with an emphasis on the unbelievable part. A lot of his stories had a message embedded in them, those messages changed many lives of friends and family.

Jimmy really enjoyed card and board games; he was very competitive to say the least. He was a cribbage master. In fact, when they started renaming roads and lanes in Grant County a few years ago, the driveway/lane leading to his house was named “Cribbage Lane.”

In Jimmy’s younger days he was a very good athlete who excelled in basketball. That carried over into him being a very avid basketball fan and supporter/personal coach to numerous players on the local basketball teams and his niece, Anji Weissenfluh’s, players at Eastern Oregon University (EOU). He went years without missing local high school games and was able to see and follow several EOU Women’s basketball games at Eastern. He always looked forward to the district play-offs where you would find him at almost every game played. He truly understood the game and it was a passion of his for most of his life.

Jimmy enjoyed hunting and was very successful at it. Being crippled up did not slow him down. He was always ready to fire and could shoot accurately from the most contorted positions imaginable, left or right-handed. He cherished his hunts with friends and family and relished in the fact that he could take his own meat and share it with friends and family. If we get to telling hunting stories on Jimmy this obituary will become a book!

Jimmy was very proud of the fact that he could take care of himself and was self-sufficient with the help of friends, family, and neighbors. Jimmy wanted everyone to know how much he appreciated all the help everyone gave him over the years, from the first county-wide fund raisers back in the 1970’s to current times. He appreciated all his friends, family, neighbors, the community of Monument, and Grant County as a whole. Some of his last words were “Tell everyone thank you.” He truly appreciated all of you.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, James Lawrence Cole; his mother, Kathryn Lena Cole; three sisters; Mary Louise Boyer, Sandra Lou Weissenfluh, and Kathryn Etta Maley; five nieces and nephews; Laurie Lynn Boyer, Brandi Lou Weissenfluh, Andrew Paul Boyer, Rocky Maley, and Tyler Boyer. 

He is survived by his younger brother John Lawrence Cole and his wife Deborah and their three children: Sarah (Cole) Newton and husband David and their four children; Kayla (Cole) Hand and her husband James and their daughter; Cody Cole and his dog, Bowzer-Hagen (AKA Slogger).

An older sister, Sherry Diane Cole and her partner Jude Lehner, Sherry’s four daughters: Kim (Weissenfluh) Beck and her husband Gary and son; Christine Weissenfluh and her partner, Jackie and their three children; Angela Weissenfluh and her partner, Missy and their two children; and Andrea  Weissenfluh and her two daughters.

Brother – in – Law – Richard Boyer and three children: Richard (Richie) Boyer and his wife Charity and five children.  Deb (Boyer) Twiet and her husband Butch and two daughters; Wes Boyer and wife Missy and two sons.

Brother – in – Law – Jerry Maley and his Daughter: Tammy Maley and her two sons; Daughter -in – Law -  Deanna Maley and her three children.

Deceased Sister, Sandy Weissenfluh’s daughters; Paula (Weissenfluh) Craig and husband Brandon; Sally Weissenfluh and partner Tricia and five children.

Jimmy is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews that he was more than just a “Great Uncle” to, he loved them and they loved him.

Everyone is invited to attend the services for Jimmy on April 23rd, starting at noon a Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Monument Gymnasium, Grave side services will follow at the Monument Cemetery.  A community potluck at the Monument Senior Center will follow the services.

Memorial Contributions may be made payable to the Monument School District – in care of “Jimmy Cole Memorial Athletic Fund”.

Monument School District

P. O. Box 127

Monument, OR 97864

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