Ross Harold Cole

Ross Harold Cole, 82, of Orem, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024. He was born August 31, 1942, in Long Beach California, to Harold Roscoe Cole and Orene Burnidette Goyette. He married Charlene Frances Zimmerman on June 26, 1965, in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they are the parents of 6 children.

Throughout his life, Ross was a faithful servant-leader in the Church Education System as a teacher and administrator. He traveled extensively throughout the world doing teacher training. He served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1963-1965 in South Korea. His other callings and positions in the church include Elders Quorum President, Bishop, Stake President in Fullerton, CA and Orem Lakeview Stakes, Chaplain of BYU-Hawaii, Korea Taejon Mission President, 1st Counselor in the Mount Timpanogos Temple Presidency, and Sealer in the Provo Temple. Ross and Charlene served 2 missions upon retirement: Honolulu, Hawaii (2008 - 2010) and Ventura, California (2016-2017). 

Ross was always a fast, capable, intelligent, and diligent person. He was very optimistic and cheerful. He had a gift to help others feel loved, of value and importance. Everyone enjoyed his kind attention and service. He had a strong testimony of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. He loved the Savior and was always willing to do His work on the earth.

Ross is survived by his wife Charlene and their six children: Cheryl Burr (Rob) of Forney, Texas; Christine (Samuel) Walker of Montpelier, Idaho; Lorene (Steven) Elder of Draper, Utah; Ross Jr. (Jenny) of Santa Rosa, California; Francine (Eric) Bednar of Crestwood, Kentucky; Deborah (Tyler) Palmer of Irvine, California. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Harold and Orene Cole as well as his sisters, Irene and Allene. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Lakeview Stake Center Chapel located at 450 West 1800 South in Orem, Utah. A viewing for friends and family will be held Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home located at 495 South State Street in Orem, and on Saturday just prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery. 

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person, you may view the services HERE