Catherine Cole

Catherine Jeanette Cole (Kay), 82, of Klamath Falls Oregon, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side, on February 20th, 2025.

Kay was born on April 15th, 1942 to Ellis and Julia Morrison in Vallejo, California. Kay enjoyed water skiing with her parents, older brother Kenneth, older sister Juanita and younger brother Moe at Lake Berryessa. In the Summer of 1959, Kay met her future husband, Ralph Cole at the Solano County Fair. They had their first date that same year on Halloween and were married 6 months later on April 10th, 1960.

After their honeymoon at Lake Berryessa, Ralph and Kay made their home in Vallejo California. Ralph worked as an apprentice shipfitter earning an amazing $2.25 an hour at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Kay was a homemaker, welcoming their first daughter, Tambra in June of 1961. Two years later, they welcomed another daughter, Sherry in June of 1963. Their family was complete after the arrival of Melinda in May of 1968.

Kay enjoyed staying home and caring for her family. She was a devoted mother that enjoyed sewing clothes for her daughters and taking them to swimming and gymnastic lessons. She was always there to carpool the girls and their friends to sporting events and enjoyed playing cards and board games with them.

In 1973 Kay and Ralph bought the Sycan General Store in Bly, Oregon. Together, they owned and operated the store for 27 years. Kay welcomed 9 grandchildren from 1978-1993. A favorite childhood memory of all the grandkids was laying on grandma's lap while she scratched their backs. She never told us no and we were never too big for her lap.

In the Summer of 2000, Kay and Ralph retired and moved to Klamath Falls to be closer to medical care for Ralph. She was blessed with 20 (plus 1 one the way) grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. Kay enjoyed cheering on her grandkids and then her great grandkids at sporting events. Her family was her world and she was always there to listen and offer advice to anyone that needed it. She loved having all of the family together and enjoyed being in their beautiful yard with Ralph during the Spring and Summer.

Kay is survived by her husband of 64 years, Ralph; daughter Tami and husband Bill; daughter Melinda and husband Lonnie; brother and sister in law, Moe and Sue Morrison; 8 grandchildren; Chrissy, Kim, Melissa, Skylar, Nolan, Sarah, Kyle and Karyssa; 20 (plus 1) great grandchildren; Luke, Quentin, Kailyn, Teagan, Callie, Wyatt, Clayton, Mason, Gracie, Sawyer, Gus, Wade, Holly, Corina, Henry, Paisley, Krue, Kannon, Kendall, Mateo and baby C. and 1 great great granddaughter, Isla. She was preceded in death by her parents Ellis and Julia; brother Ken, sister Nita, sister-in-law Barbara and husband Ron, daughter Sherry and granddaughter Stephanie.

In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Kay, the family invites you to plant a tree in her memory.