Garry Lynn Cole was born April 20, 1954, in Hendricks, MN, to Ralph W. and Sylvia M. (Crocker) Cole. Garry was baptized in the Gary, SD, United Methodist Church. He graduated from Gary High School.

Garry served in the US Marine Corps, the US Army, and the National Guard for a total of 15 years. He was a cook in the Army and the National Guard. After leaving the military, Gary worked many jobs. He worked as a police officer guarding Mt. Rushmore for the forestry service for a couple years. Gary then worked as a logger thinning trees. He later worked in the oil fields in Wyoming and North Dakota.

Garry had many hobbies. He loved collecting and studying rocks and fossils, gold panning, fishing, camping, cooking, and making wine. Garry would go into the woods to find edible wild mushrooms. He loved watching movies and sports, listening to music, and playing his harmonica. Garry won a hula hoop contest at Shoot Rooster in Hill City in 1983 and was very proud of his accomplishment.

He was a natural born teacher. Anything Garry knew, he was willing to share and teach others.

Garry's family always thought of him as a mountain man. He loved being in the hills. He was a Dreamer, Explorer, and Fighter.

Garry, 64, Fort Meade, died Friday, May 4, 2018, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade.

He is survived by two daughters, Stephanie Cole and Sara Cole, both of Rapid City; two grandchildren, Lilyanna and Samuel Kerbawy; two step-sons, Michael Coonce and Zachary Coonce; one sister, Elonne (Lorne) Veen; two brothers, Don (Elaine) Cole and Dennis (Marlene) Cole; and eleven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale; and a niece, Doreen Cole.

Visitation will be Friday, May 11, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 11, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Baer officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

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