Cole D. Hammond

On the morning of Saturday November 8th, 2014, our beloved son, husband, father and friend, Cole Derick Hammond left this earth too soon. Born January 26th, 1983, Cole was raised in the small town of Saco, MT by his parents Fred and Gayle Hammond. Cole was an only child and very much loved by his parents. Fred and Gayle had longed for a child for many years and Cole brought so much joy, love and happiness into their lives. It was evident early on that Cole was special; he was very bright and had the grandest imagination. As a child he loved to entertain at family events by doing magic shows and playing the guitar. He was talented in so many ways, excelling academically and as a musician, especially the bass guitar. To many Cole was a quiet, introspective man and while he projected a reserved image to the world, Cole was actually very witty and fun loving.

Cole graduated from Saco High School in 2001 and moved to Billings that fall to attend Rocky Mountain College. In the fall of 2002 he met the love of his life at Rocky, Heather Shea. Cole and Heather were kindred spirits and had so much love for each other. In March of 2005 their only child Sheamus was born and Cole and Heather were married in August of 2005. Cole was the best father and loved his son with all his heart. They would have "ass kicking" days together and Cole would fill his little mind with the strangest, funniest stories. There was never a question Cole could not answer for his son, right, wrong or just plain BS. He liked to say he was creating memories. Cole loved cats since he was seven years old when he got his first cat, Stubby. He passed his love for cats on to his son and the two loved to celebrate "Grey Kitty Day" every spring, in honor of his two grey "fur daughters", Chairman Lilly Mau and Pearlie Mae. Cole was an avid hunter and looked forward to taking trips to the hi-line each fall to hunt with his dad and son. Cole was a talented musician; he loved to jam with his friends and play guitar and sing with his son. Cole loved the Broncos and was always wearing something with the Broncos logo on it, even in the Seattle airport after the Super Bowl. Cole was so many things to so many people and always had something to offer when asked.

As a counselor, Cole touched many clients' lives and was well regarded in his field. He was working towards his Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and had dreams to get his PhD. Education was always important to Cole, he was always an avid reader and looked for continual ways to expand his mind. He truly seemed to know a little something about everything. Cole had been working for the State of Montana helping people with disabilities all the while struggling with a disability of his own. For the past four years Cole struggled with an undiagnosed medical condition that caused him great pain daily. Cole never wanted to burden others with his pain and suffered in silence. He was there for anyone who needed him, his family, friends and clients, all while struggling himself. He was the most selfless, giving person. Cole's four year battle is over, rest in peace. Know that your friends and family will love and miss you always.

Cole is survived by his wife, Heather, and young son, Sheamus, of Billings; his parents Fred and Gayle Hammond of Saco, MT; his aunts Pat Wehrly of Havre, Wanda Turner of Helena; uncles Frank (Barb) White of Saco and Ralph (Carol) White of Kansas. He is also survived by many cousins including special cousins Echo Nelson and Eric White.

Cole was preceded in death by his very special great-aunt and uncle, Pearl and Wilbur Bryson, who were more like another set of grandparents to him. Also preceding were grandparents Ken and Dawn White, grandmother Adeline Hammond, and great-aunt Annabell Prestbo.

Visitation will be Friday, 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services will be held Saturday, November 15th at 2 p.m. at the Dahl Funeral Chapel with a luncheon to follow. Cole's ashes will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at a later date in Saco. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.