Kerby Cole Kerby Cole

Kerby Cole

Rest In Peace...
May 18, 2022
Kerby Cole
idagolfish@gmail.com
Updated: May 21, 2022

Kerby Mathew ColeKerby Mathew Cole went to be with the Holy Father on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, after a courageous battle with leukemia. Kerby was born in Moscow on Friday, Dec. 13, 1946, to Quentin “Buster” and Pauline Fuchs Cole.

Kerby had four brothers and a sister. He was like most North Idaho kids, growing up enjoying the great outdoors hunting and fishing his entire life.

He graduated from Moscow High School in 1965 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Idaho in 1970. Upon graduation, he went to work as a field engineer for Bechtel Corporation in New York. Following his east coast adventures, he returned to the northwest, where he worked as an engineer for Crown Zeller Bach and Weyerhaeuser in the pulp and paper industry. In 1980, he returned to Moscow, where he began his career as an engineering consultant and construction manager. In fulfilling his dream and completing his education, he obtained his master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in engineering from Washington State University in 1993.
Following his graduation, he went to work for the state of Idaho, first for the Department of Transportation and then for the Department of Environmental Quality. He retired as the North Central Regional Administrator.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Ann Louise Sexton Cole, at their home in Hayden Lake, Idaho, along with the family dog, Shamrock “Rocksy;” son, Timothy (Kim) Cole, of Lewiston, daughter, Dianna Cole, of Chattaroy, Wash., stepsons, Thomas (Ana) Cossairt, of Blanchard, Wash., and Donald (Teresa) Cossairt, of Moscow; brothers, Steve (Maxine), of Deary, Bruce (Melissa), of North Fork, Idaho, Mark (Cheri), of Moscow, and Arnie (Mandy) of Prairie City, Ore.; along with 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dolly; daughter, Lisa; and his beloved Darby dog.

In lieu of flowers, Kerby asked that donations be made to the Pet Memorial Program at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University.

Kerby requested no service to be held. The family will hold a private celebration of life, to be planned at a later date. Interment will be this fall at the cemetery in Moscow, where his grave will be dedicated.

Yates Funeral Homes of Coeur d’Alene is in charge of the arrangements.


Updated: May 24, 2010

Ann Louise and I are both retired.  When asked if I am enjoying retirement I usually reply that I now spend all day doing what I used to do during lunch and breaks.  I have been retired for about a year and I think I am still adjusting to life as a retiree.

I really enjoy spending more time with Ann Louise and the grandkids and I certainly do not miss the business travel.  We never seem to be short of things to do and when we run out of work here at the house, we can always schedule another doctor's appointment.

Between home, family, and church Ann Louise and I stay very busy, but busy in a good way. I've learned a lot over the past 45 years and Iv'e come to recognize my Heavenly Father's hand in the many blessings that I have received. 

If I have learned anything over the past 63 years years, it is that life is much more rewarding when it is shared with the ones you love and in the service of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Spouse: Ann Louise

Kids: Ann Louise and I have five children.

       Three sons, Thomas, Donald, and Timothy
       Two daughters, Lisa and Dianna

       Four grandsons: Nate, Jacob, Colby, and Kerby.
       Eight granddaughters: Sydney, Autumn, Brooke, Zoey, Alicia, Naomi, Megan, and Sylana.

We also have eight grandchildren, ages one to ten years old. Being a grandparent is as good as it gets.


In 1986, after 16 years of private practice as an engineer and general contractor, I returned to graduate school to finish my education. I received a Masters in geotechnical engineering from the University of Idaho in 1989 and a PhD in engineering science from Washington State University in 1992. I went to work for the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in Lewiston and then transfered with them to Coeur d' Alene. In 2000 Ann Louise and I sold our home in Hayden Lake and moved to Lewiston to be closer to our kids and grandkids. I went to work for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) as the regional engineering manager. I am currently the North Central Idaho Regional Adminstrator for IDEQ.

This past spring Ann Louise and I sold our house in Lewiston and moved to Clarkston, where we are building our retirement home. If all goes well we will retire sometime within the next four years. We tell our kids we will retire when our jobs stop being fun!



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