Howard Thomas

Howard Cole Thomas, “The Legend” A husband, father, son, uncle, and brother.

Cole Thomas, 48, passed away on October 16, 2021 on the mountain in Cokeville, WY. He was a resident of Fort Bridger, WY.

Cole was born on October 8, 1973 in Salt Lake City, UT. He worked at Solvay Chemicals for the last 10 years where he was so excited to attend college and graduate with his Industrial Maintenance degree, taking his Tinker Bell folder with him to school every day.

Cole loved everyone and everyone loved him. He never met a stranger:  He actually gave his truck to a stranded stranger and trusted him to bring it back once his truck was fixed. He invited other strangers to live with him and Aimee when they lived in Thayne, WY. This only emphasizes the amazing example of what a great husband, father, and person he was.

Cole was also an avid fisherman. He loved to take pictures of fish he caught, getting just the right angle. He was always on the move to “get a cooler full of little fish” with his kids. He, his brothers and dad were featured in the National FLW Fishing Magazine.

Cole has many great quality attributes that some know and some that they may not know.  He was an extraordinary mechanic. He could fix anything. He could build anything too, from a house, to beautiful cabinetry, to small projects that no one else could create. Camping was also one of his favorite activities. He loved campfires, BIG campfires. As the night would go on,  the bigger the fire and sappier he would get. He would have everyone crying before the night was over. Cook and jerky maker extrodinaire was another one of Cole’s many talents. He loved testing and making new recipes, everyone had to have a full belly. Cole also raced cars and was a track champion. He so enjoyed racing with his brothers and dad.

Of course, his favorite and biggest passion was hunting. He loved to hunt. He was featured on the cover of Eastman’s Journal with one of the many trophy deer he was so proud of. He was also the only one that could run faster than an elk with his infamous orange Hooters hat on, he was part antelope and part mountain goat, a Wyoming cowboy. He passed away doing what he truly loved, hunting on the mountain. He will be missed by all, a true gentleman. He did everything for his family and kids.

He is survived by his wife Aimee, three kids, Rhyan, Cope, and Avery of Fort Bridger, WY.  Father, Ferron Lee Thomas (Mountain View, WY). Brothers: Tory Thomas and wife Sunny (Rock Springs, WY), and Kasey Thomas (Green River, WY). Sisters: Kristin Goates and husband Mike (Mountain View, WY), and Mindi Roberts and husband Tim (Green River, WY). Mother in law: Deanne and husband Jim (Manila, UT). Brother in law: Paul Wilson and wife Angela (Green River, WY). Sister in law: Kathy Johnson and husband Ed (Boyd, MN). Several aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his Mother, Linda D. (Rockhill) Thomas.

Funeral services will be conducted for Cole Saturday October 23rd at 12:00 pm at the Lyman High School, Lyman Wyoming. A Reception/luncheon to follow at the American Legion at 1:00 pm in Fort Bridger, Fort Bridger Wyoming.   Cash bar only  (literally, please bring cash or check).

In lieu of flowers, please keep your family close and give them BIG Coley hugs!