Michael Gene Cole

March 18, 1970 - January 6, 2022

Michael (Mike) G. Cole, 51 of Rapid City passed away, Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital with his family by his side due to ongoing medical issues.

Mike was born March 18, 1970 in Chamberlain, SD to Larry and Alice (Comp) Cole. He graduated from Pierre Riggs High School.

Mike was the roamer of the family living in various cities and states during his life some to include, Pierre, Presho, Rapid City, SD, Branson, MO and Las Vegas, NV. After high school graduation Mike helped local farmers, worked for a harvest crew, was an over the road truck driver and had various other jobs. But his passion in life was to be a lighting technician and stagehand for large shows which lead him to Las Vegas to live his dream. Mike lived his dream for a couple of years until he started to have health issues which brought him back to South Dakota.

Mike has spent the last 3 years at the Monument Health Sturgis Care Center calling this his home. He kept busy being the President of the Resident Council, winning more than his fair share of bingo games, playing the game Farmville on his play station and of course giving the staff a bad time. While at Sturgis Care Center Mike was fortunate to be cared for by a group of individuals that became his 2nd family. We want to thank the caregivers at the center for their ongoing compassionate care not only to Mike, but our whole family.

Mike enjoyed music and was especially proud to sing for the Shrine of Democracy Chorus. He loved to bowl, put models together and do photography. He could play a mean game of cribbage beating his opponent most of the time. Whenever a tough situation came up for Mike, his “It is what it is” motto would always pop out of his mouth. Mike would also give you a “Gotch ya” whenever you told him something new.

Mike is survived by his father Larry of Rapid City, brothers; Jim Cole, Presho, and David (Tammy Cole) of Presho, sisters; Judy (David) Blair of Rapid City, and Crystal (Brett) Eaton of Vale, SD.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother Alice, grandparents Herb and Helen Cole and Corwin and Nellie Comp.