FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Richard Cole
01/22/1968 — 06/10/2023
From West Richland, WA | Born in Burlington, IA
Watch Graveside ServiceInurnment
Starts:
Fri, July 21, 2023, 3:00 pm
Ends:
Fri, July 21, 2023, 4:00 pm
Location:
Sunset Gardens
915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA 99352
Website:
Visit Sunset Gardens
Richard Cole
Richard “Rick” and “Rich” Duane Cole passed away in the early hours of June 10th, 2023 at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane, WA. Richard succumbed to heart failure and complications from cardiac surgery a month prior.
Richard graduated from Dallas City High School in 1986 and went on to be a distinguished and decorated veteran of the United States Navy, serving aboard the frigate USS Rathburne (FF 1057) and the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1). He proudly served his country for ten years and was deployed to the Middle East aboard USS Tarawa during the first Persian Gulf War.
In 2000, Richard met Courtney Hitchcock ; the two were married on December 31st, 2003 and had a son, Nicholas Cole. They later separated.
Richard relocated to the Tri-Cities, where he met Amber Moore in 2020. The couple lived together for two and a half years before Richard’s passing. She survives him.
Richard spent his free time learning about any and all motorized transportation, virtually flying all kinds of aircraft, playing with computers, and playing video games. Richard loved to tell sea stories of his time in the Navy and the many different places he traveled throughout his life. He was witty and sarcastic once he got to know you, and he had a knack for making people feel like they had known him their entire lives.
Richard is loved and will be missed greatly.
Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Cheryl Ann Cole, and his father, Phillip Wilcox. He is survived by his adoptive father, Sandy Will Cole, his Aunt and Uncle, Denise and Dave Krogmeier, his sister, Roberta McClary, his estranged wife, Courtney Cole, and their son, Nicholas Cole.
Richard is also survived by his adoptive family, Amber Moore, Joyce Brodzinski, Belinda and Troy McNabb, Kirk Brodzinski, Caitlin Marsh, Colleen Boehm, Bonnie Baker, and Spencer Brodzinski.
Services with full military rights will be held at 3pm on July 21st, 2023, in the Veteran’s Garden of Einan’s at Sunset Funeral Home in Richland, WA. A wake will be held immediately after the services at CG Public House & Catering in Kennewick.
Rich was a popular and prolific participant at American Virtual Airlines and a significant presence in its activities and Discord discussions.
He will be missed.
Roger Curtiss
July 21, 2023
Deer Harbor, WA
I wish I could have come to see you when iou moved back to the states but life got in the way. I will always remember and cherish our childhood memories. I love you Ricky!!!
Betti Victory
July 20, 2023
Revere, Mo
He will be missed.
Caitlin Marsh
July 19, 2023
San Marcos, Texas
Guestbook for
Richard Cole