Former Sitkan T Cole Dies; Services to be Held Jan. 17

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Friday, 03 January 2025 14:59

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T (Theron) Cole

T (Theron) Cole, longtime Sitka resident, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024, in Seattle Washington. He was surrounded by family at the time
T was born in Sitka on December 17, 1942, to Theron and Johanna Cole. He was actively involved in sports throughout his school days, playing basketball and baseball. He loved to share stories of his high school basketball days with his children and grandchildren, over and over and over…
T graduated valedictorian from Sitka High School in 1961, and afterward attended Gonzaga University, Loyola University’s Rome, Italy, Campus, and University of San Francisco. It was in law school that he met the love of his life, Terry (Therese) Louise Vaughan. They married after a “lengthy” six-month courtship and were together for more than 57 years.
T practiced law in a number of places during his career, including as a JAG officer with the Unites States Army during the Vietnam War.
T and Terry brought their family back to Sitka in 1980, where he eventually spent most of his career as Sitka’s city attorney. During his time in Sitka, T was adopted by the Coho Clan and considered it one of his life’s honors to be invited to share in a culture and a clan for which he had so much love and respect.
After retirement, T worked for Sitka Tribe of Alaska as Tribal Court Judge, as well as working seasonally leading tours for the Park Service. T loved Sitka and it was important to him to share the love of his home with his family and friends.
In 2004 T and Terry moved to Waikoloa, Hawaii, where he enjoyed an active lifestyle, including golfing which replaced basketball for T when he left Sitka. They shared many Hawaiian adventures with their children and grandchildren over the years.
T is survived by his wife Terry; sons TJ (Jenny) Cole of Portland, Oregon, Richard Cole of Sitka, and Bill (Abby) Cole of Everett Washington, and daughter Katie (Jeff) Richey of Seattle, Washington.
Also surviving are grandchildren Elle (Andrew) Broschat of Petersburg, Johanna Cole of Washington, D.C., Hannah Richey of Seattle, Erin Cole and Theron Cole of Juneau, Liam, Lucy, and Ollie of Everett; and Godsons Teddy and Michael Gassman of Sitka.
Services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, at noon at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Sitka with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Sitka Tribe of Alaska Child Advocacy Center.

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