Lyle Nelson Cole

“He Was Kind”

     He was “sufficiently sophonsified and any more life would have been ‘superfluous’.” Lyle Nelson Cole was a “Fine Old High Priest”.  He was a covenant keeper.  He was charming. He had a gift of making others feel important. But most importantly, he was kind.

     Lyle Nelson Cole was born September 25, 1931 in Fairview, Idaho to Joseph Truman and Bertha Nelson Cole. He died September 2, 2015 from complications due to kidney failure. He had 4 siblings and 8 half-siblings. Lyle is survived by his brother, Jerold (Patty) Cole; his parents and siblings are deceased. Lyle grew up on a working dairy farm and was elected freshman and senior class president of Preston High School. After graduation Lyle attended the University of Idaho on a Boxing and Baseball scholarship. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. Then he served an LDS Mission to the Southern States where he toured with President Harold B. Lee. Upon returning, he attended and graduated from Brigham Young University. At BYU he met and fell in love with Sharolyn (Sheri) Butters Cole (deceased), the daughter of N. Grant and Eulala Butters (also deceased). They were married and sealed on June 9, 1959 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Lyle and Sheri were a beautiful couple that complemented each other in every way. A true-love match for 54 years, they had 5 children; Marcie (deceased) and Gary Call, Melinda and Wayne Welch, Adam and Christine Cole, Elizabeth Cole and Allison Dennison, Angela and Guy Brown. Lyle also has 24 grandchildren, 6 ½ great grandchildren and many in-laws, “out-laws,” nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors who admire and love him.

     Lyle and Sheri made their home in Bountiful, UT. Lyle was the owner of a popular 1960’s men’s clothing boutique, “Cole Esquire.” He later sold the store and started a career in Real Estate that lasted over 30 years. Lyle sold hundreds of homes and was sought after by clients who knew of his reputation for honesty and good business practices. Lyle was an active and faithful member of the LDS church. He served as Bishop of the Bountiful 4th and 7th wards. He loved serving on High Councils and with the Young Men, but his favorite calling was being a Missionary – especially with his wife Sheri as missionary companions in the Scotland, Edinburgh mission.

     Lyle’s motto is “Kindness” and he lived it every day. In his quiet, cheerful way, he served others. Maybe you were a customer at Cole Esquire or maybe you bought your house from Lyle. Maybe you played on his baseball team. Maybe you served with him on a mission. Maybe he took you on a campout with the 8th/Woodland Hills ward young men. Maybe he gave you some homegrown tomatoes or told you a clever joke. Maybe he sang you a song with some of his hilarious made-up lyrics. Maybe you saw him perform with his family in a musical or sing in the ward choir directed by his wife. No matter where you know him from, you know he was Christ-like and kind – a true example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

     In lieu of flowers Lyle requested donations be made to the LDS Missionary Fund through your local LDS Ward.

     A viewing will be held Friday, September 4, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street Bountiful, UT 84010. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, September 5 at 11:00a.m. at the LDS Woodland Hills Ward 640 South 750 East Bountiful, UT (As per Lyle’s instruction, we will be done before the BYU game begins!) A pre-funeral viewing will be from 9:30-10:45a.m. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery.