Laura Leona Cole

**Laura Leona Cole**

September 2, 1939 – October 31, 2024

Laura Leona Cole was born on September 2, 1939, in Santa Maria, California, to Albert Peter LaBorde and Virginia Geraldine Hobbs. She grew up with her siblings, Albert D. Laborde (deceased), Gladys O. Fillman, and Virginia G. Koester (deceased), forming deep bonds that shaped her life.

A 1957 graduate of Illinois Valley High School, Laura married Roy Cole on August 9, 1958, in Cave Junction, Oregon. They shared over 50 years of love, dedication, and adventure together. As a devoted military wife, she supported Roy throughout his career, a role she fulfilled with unwavering dedication and pride. This dedication to service continued with her own children, who each served in different branches of the military.

Laura’s career included working in school cafeterias, fast-food restaurants, and as a CNA in a nursing home, where her kindness and compassion left a lasting impact. She also volunteered with the Girl Scouts in Hokkaido, Japan, and later in Mt. Hebo, Oregon, and found joy in various bowling leagues over the years.

Her love for the outdoors was evident through her passion for fishing on lakes and oceans, rock hunting across the western U.S., and extensive travels across the United States—including Alaska and Hawaii—and Japan. Laura also enjoyed genealogy research, sewing, crocheting, and reading, often with one of her beloved dogs by her side.

Laura was the proud mother of four children—Cathy Navarrette, Virginia Grotts, Clinton Cole, and Clancy Cole—and a cherished grandmother and friend. Laura and her husband were also caring, adoptive parents to Kathy Ausley, further extending their love and family.

Laura is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Cole; her youngest son, Clinton Cole; grandson, Earl Taulman III; her parents; her brother, Albert Dean; and her sister, Virginia. She is survived by her sister, Gladys O. Fillman, and leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion that will be deeply missed.

A service to honor Laura’s life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Weddle Funeral Service in Stayton, Oregon.