Randall “Smokey” Robert Cole, 71, of Riverside, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 11, 2026. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, October 15, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Riverside. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 16, 2026, at the church. Burial to follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Randy Cole Memorial Fund.
Randy was born July 17, 1955, in Iowa City, the son of Dean and Alice (Sedlacek) Cole. He graduated from Highland High School Class of 1973. Randy was united in marriage to Christine Schlapkohl November 27, 1976, in Lone Tree. He owned and operated Phil’s Building Materials in Coralville/Iowa City, closing in 2020. Randy was a member of the Iowa Homebuilders Association, Johnson County Pork Producers, and fair board.
Randy was known for his ornery personality and straight-faced sense of humor. He had a gift for giving people a hard time without ever cracking a smile, leaving them to wonder whether he was serious or simply pulling their leg. With Randy, you never quite knew what he might say next. He loved to razz people, and if he was giving you a hard time, you could be pretty sure it was his way of showing he liked you. More often than not, he made people laugh without ever letting on that he was joking.
Randy also loved going to auctions, where the enjoyment extended far beyond what was being bought or sold. For him, auctions were social occasions, a chance to visit with friends, catch up, swap stories, and, undoubtedly, give someone a little grief along the way. He loved farming, Shorthorn cattle, and antique tractors, but just as much, he cherished the people and conversations that came with them.
As ornery as Randy could be, there was a softer side that shone brightest when it came to his grandchildren. His love and pride for Cole, Lynde, Stetson, Giselle, and Logan were unmistakable. You could see it in his eyes whenever one of them came into view or even when their names were mentioned. No matter how straight-faced he could be when giving someone a hard time, his eyes always told the story when it came to his grandchildren. They were a tremendous source of pride and joy in his life, and the love he had for each of them was something that never needed to be explained.
Randy leaves behind countless memories, stories, and moments that will bring smiles for years to come. Those who knew him will remember his unmistakable ornery streak, the perfectly timed comments delivered with a straight face, and the laughter that followed. The world will be a little quieter without Randy, and many will miss having him around to give them a hard time.
Randy is survived by his wife: Chris; two children: Stacey (Mayko Caudel) Cole of DeKalb, Illinois and Jeremy (Carrie) Cole of Riverside; five grandchildren: Cole Girardot, Lynde Cole, Stetson Cole, Giselle Caudel, and Logan Caudel; siblings: Jolene (Andy) Colthurst, Roger (Laurie) Cole, Robert (Kim) Cole, Rick (Julie) Cole, and Mary Ellen (Joel) Yedlik; brother-in-law: Dave Dalton; mother-in-law: Virginia Schlapkoh; and many extended family.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Ron Cole and Kathy Dalton; sister-in-law: Shari Cole; and father-in-law: Bill Schlapkohl.
