Vernon Edwin Cole

Vernon Edwin Cole was born to Connie Lou (Wilson) and Vernon Afton Cole on April 4, 1958 in Ephrata, Washington. He was the oldest boy of their eight children. Vernon attended Ephrata High School and enlisted in the Washington National Guard on April 4, 1976. He also served with the Iowa National Guard for 23 years until 1999.

On April 20, 1991, Vernon married the love of his life, Tracey Guth, in Seattle, Washington. Together they had six children, a couple bonus children and several grandchildren. He dedicated 20 years to working for Farm Service Cooperative. He also spent time as a medic and firefighter for the Defiance Fire and Rescue for 20 years. In his free time, he was known as a "Professional Grandpa".

Vernon passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 22 days at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Connie Cole and sisters, Nina Cole, Patty Kay Cole, and Yvonne Cole.

He is survived by his wife, Tracey Cole of Defiance, IA; children, Gary (Allison) Aikman of Omaha, NE, Rebecca (Kaden) McLaws of Sevierville, TN, Tyler Cole of Defiance, IA, Jessica (Andrew) Kishiyama of Shelton, WA, Matthew Cole (Abby Leggett) of Council Bluffs, IA, Tracy (Machella) Cole of Kellogg, IA; grandchildren: Lily Aikman, Ryker & Kamden McLaws, Aurora Kishiyama, Aubrey & Hudson Cole, Colton Cole, Wesley & Waylon Leggett, and many "adopted" grandchildren; siblings, Mike (Nora) Cole, Kenny (Christine) Cole, John Kelly Cole, and Jodi (Kyle) Cole; Army buddies: Gawain Reiff, Jim and Robin Arriaga and Mike Timmons, Sr.; other relatives and many friends.