Cole Gil Porter

To the many dear family and friends in the community who, like us, have always found enduring courage and happiness from time spent with our pillar of strength Grandpa “Pop,” we share that he finally found peace and rest after a hard-fought battle. Surrounded by his faithful and loving sweetheart and family, who never left his side, Cole Gil Porter passed away the morning of August 14, 2025.

Cole was born in Ogden, Utah on January 22,1950 to Gil and Jane Porter. Cole spent his entire life in beautiful Morgan County where he established himself as a valued member of the proud heritage in the community. Cole graduated from Morgan High School in 1968 after marrying his precious sweetheart, Lana Peterson on June 3, 1967. The lifelong partners shared the unique experience of their firstborn, Nicole, attending her dad’s graduation with them. From the moment they met, Cole and Lana were blessed with a powerful bond that is never to be broken having shared the happiest of times together with the beautiful family they created, and overcoming the most difficult challenges together, such as the unexpected passing of Cole’s father Gil when Cole was only twenty. It was beautifully fitting that Cole passed away with his loving sweetheart, having never left one another’s side---not even for a moment---in more than 58 years together.

One of the most honorable attributes of Cole was his strong work ethic. Cole worked hard from an early age to be productive and develop valuable skills. At the age of fifteen, Cole worked at a local service station and became a skilled brick mason alongside his brother Gene Hayes for several years to support his young family. Cole began his 41 years at the cement plant in 1973, where he worked his way up to become a respected leader in quarry operations and other areas of the plant until retirement. Cole loved serving others, especially during tough times. This blessed call revealed itself in so many ways throughout his life, but one of his most proud was his membership in the Morgan County Search and Rescue from 1970 to 1974, where he participated in many operations including those as a scuba dive team member. Like his father, Cole dedicated countless hours working to protect the lives of those in need and bring comfort to their families. Cole formed a special bond with his dad, as together they began a legacy of farming and working the land. Cole went on to spend many decades with his good buddies Buck Stuwart and Barclay Earl making the fields produce, although on occasion they did find themselves distracted by a heated card game and a good drink in the basement.

After the tragic loss of his father Gil in 1970, Cole and Lana expanded their family by welcoming their beautiful son Cody, who was sent down by Cole’s dad in 1971. Family was everything to Cole, as he made his most precious memories at his camp in Deep Creek, while hunting the Range, Hardscrabble, and the Cathedrals. Cole loved vacations with his family. Although he successfully executed a strategy to avoid a trip to Disneyland, Cole took his family on dozens of trips, with the fondest memories made in Bear World, Blackfoot Fair, Holidome hotel in Pocatello, Jackson Hole, and many hours fishing at Viva Naughton. The grandkids frequently made excuses to get off the bus at Cole and Lana’s where Cole promised their parents’ homework was underway, but we all know the only homework done was the math needed in the card game thirty-one. Cole was quite the card shark and loved playing with the kids at family gatherings, as well as Pung games with the boys at Buzzy’s. Any card game with Cole always included a sighting of his witty “smirk” just before he flipped that card to beat you---he especially enjoyed seeing frustration on the faces of those he beat. Cole and Lana shared so many good times on ranger tours around the state, Lake Powell trips, and dancing with their cherished and welcoming group of friends, composed of an amazingly diverse and multi-generational block of people. Cole especially enjoyed trips to Evanston on “weeny” Wednesday with his best buds and son.

Cole is survived by his beloved wife Lana, daughter Nicole (Matt), son Cody (Nicole), granddaughters Alexis (Cam), Ashley (Bobby), Tegan (Carson), grandsons Carson (Quinton), and 6 great-grandchildren with one more still in Cole’s arms to be sent down shortly; as well as his sisters Penny (Duane), Peg, and Nadine (Stuart). What a sight it must have been as Cole received long-awaited embraces from special family members including his dad Gil and mother Jane, brother Gene, sister Pat, grandson Landon, and numerous other family and friends who preceded him into Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.

We express a heartfelt thank you to his healthcare professionals, especially Corey Blonquist and her outstanding team of nurses, along with all the dear friends who have reached out to support Cole and our family through this challenging time. We know you all share in the massive void left in all our hearts from the loss of this good man. Our stoic and humble Cole did not want too much fuss over his passing and asked that we avoid a viewing or funeral. We hope that you can lean on your many individual memories of Cole by sharing them with your loved ones who will benefit from his life and pass his strength to the next generation. For any friends and family who wish to attend, there will be a graveside service at the Milton Cemetery on August 22, 2025, at 10:00 am where we will briefly share some loving memories and send him home together.