Robert K. Cole

Bob was born an only child in Conroe Texas on August 1, 1940 to his parents Kenneth and Dorothy Cole. He spent the first six years of his childhood moving often as his dad worked as a civil engineer in several oil fields. He moved with his family to Oregon in 1946, where his parents owned Cole’s Fried Chicken Dinners. He assisted his parents in the restaurant and then when the restaurant was sold, he helped them teach ballroom dancing when they opened K-Dot Studios. Not only did they teach in their studio but throughout Elks Clubs in the Willamette Valley and along the coast.

Bob graduated from North Salem High School in 1958. He enjoyed his cars, whether it was driving fast or taking part of demolition derbies. He spent a lot of time with his horse Jughead and did several events in the rodeo such as bare back bronc riding, bull riding, and steer wrestling to name a few.

Shortly after completing high school he joined the Armed Forced and was Honorably Discharged in 1966. In 1968, he purchased a cherry orchard with 11 acres that was harvested until the early 90’s.

Bob spent 36 years in road construction where he started as a laborer, then a foreman, estimator and the last 20 years as the general manager for Salem Road and Driveway before retiring. In addition, he found success in land development and created several companies such as Colwood Development, Willamette Hydroaxe, Willamette Development, Cherry Blossom and Quadra. His last big development was Inland Shores in Keizer with Staats Lake LLC.

Not only did Bob work hard, he played hard. He particularly enjoyed flying. During his training period, his grandmother who lived in Ashland passed away and as a result he flew his mom there. The flight was quite an experience for his mom. It wasn’t uncommon on the weekends for him to fly his family to a neighboring town for breakfast or around Mt Saint Helens or the coast.

He enjoyed the outdoors and spent a lot of time game and bird hunting and was an active member in Ducks Unlimited. Throughout his life he enjoyed crabbing, clamming and fishing. He recently spent several summers in his motor home at Detroit Lake with his boat anchored at the Detroit Marina.

Bob took after his parents with their love of traveling. He has traveled all over the world, but preferred to go where he could find a good time in the sun, making several trips to Reno, Mardi Gras, Mexico and Venezuela and several summers in Palm Springs.

Bob passed away peacefully in his home on November 24, 2012. He was preceded in death by his dad Kenneth H Cole in 1996 and his mom Dorothy Ann Cole earlier this year. He leaves behind his daughter Debra Glover and husband Charles of Keizer, and two granddaughters Georgia Cole and Justice Glover both of Keizer.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to Gordon King as well as Meghan from Serenity Hospice.

Visitation will be on Friday, November 30 from 10-12am at Howell Edwards Doerksen Funeral Home. Memorial Services will begin at 1:00 with a Graveside Service at City View Cemetery at 2:30. A gathering at his house will follow.