David Coles Obituary

David R. Coles passed a way on June 12th 2017.He taught at Araphoe High School for over 20 years He is survived by his son Matthew K aspar Coles.

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Published by Denver Post on Jun. 19, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for David Coles

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8 Entries

Dianne Mattlin

August 14, 2019

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Melinda Pash

October 24, 2017

I found this memorial by accident. David Coles was my honors Western Civilization history teacher at Arapahoe High School in the 1980s. He was such a nice man. I was not a good student. I made little football notes and flicked them across the room throughout the class. Without Mr. Coles generosity in allowing me to do extra credit I would have failed. At any rate, I ended up growing to love history in part because of Mr. Coles' lecture on ancient Egypt and I went on to earn a Ph.D. in history and now teach Western Civilization I and Ancient History at a community college! The funny thing is, though, Mr. Coles will live forever in my own lecture because when I got my first quarter grade in his class, I told my mom it was so low because Mr. Coles didn't like me (totally untrue!). So, I always use that story to teach my students about the biased nature of history--to this day my mom will tell people I would have done better in high school history if the teacher hadn't hated me. It's all in the telling of the story. And, my students' understanding of that comes straight from Mr. Coles. One teacher touching a million lives (or about 600 a year in this case). :) I have thought of Mr. Coles often over the last 30 years and am very sad I won't ever be able to tell him what a huge impact he had on my life.

October 10, 2017

My Uncle Dave was such an amazing man. Although our political positions were polar opposites, we could still have a fun, engaging conversation about history and civics. Uncle Dave was passionate about life and enjoyed it fully. I will forever miss him and his "Icky bug"!
Barb

Stuart Alan Coles

October 9, 2017

David Reed Coles -October 30, 1935 ~ June 12, 2017.
David was indeed a wonderful and dignified gentleman. Strong and handsome, he stood six foot four inches tall and 195 pounds of lean muscle. His hands were like iron but his touch like a gentle pat on the shoulder. Though soft spoken and gentle in manner, he was rigid and stern in his beliefs. No man was likely to convince otherwise or win argument in opposition to him. he was a man that one would be wiser to choose as a friend and confident rather than an adversary. He was wise and re-assuring exuding an air of confidence. He was a scholar of history and philosophy. He was a teacher by profession. He was a High School basketball coach, girls team for many years. He was a father and a husband. He was a son and a brother. He was a counselor and mentor to many. He was a friend and a supporter and family historian. He made me feel secure, loved and sincerely cared for. He was my Uncle Dave. He was my father's only brother, eleven years his younger. The two shared a mutual respect for each other. He was my only blood uncle. He was a person who I looked up to with immense respect and admiration. He always treated me with tender loving guidance and genuine affection. I was privileged to share a close loving and warm life long relationship with him. He and I never hesitated to tell each other that we loved one another. This is a sign of strength not weakness. He was the keeper and care taker of all things Coles Ranch even before but more so after his fathers passing in 1973. This was his home place and like his father he held a deep fondness for this 880 acre land homesteaded by his father and grandfather in 1908. This working wheat ranch was the place of his origin in Moffat County, Northwestern Colorado. Also the place of his retreat throughout his entire life even up until his passing in 2017. In 1983 David researched his family history from microfilm records of early settlers kept by the LDS Mormons in Salt Lake City Utah available to all who cared to seek out and gain insight. David diligently traced his ancestry back by way of linking his great great grandfather Enoch Coles from the linage back seven previous generations to one original immigrant Robert Coles (b.1598). Robert was well documented as passenger onboard The Winthrop Fleet 1630 from England to Massachusetts Bay to colonize New England. This fleet of eleven ships carried the first European settlers to the new world.
David was proceeded in death by his loving wife Patricia Kaspar, his brother Stuart Russell Coles and his sister Martha McCoy.

September 9, 2017

I first met David Coles 38 years ago, when I dated his nephew, Don, and married Don in 1980. Uncle Dave and Aunt Pat welcomed me into the family with loving open arms, and I enjoyed a special and treasured relationship with them. The passing of these two very special people is a great loss to family, friends, acquaintances and the many students who were impacted by the amazing teachers they were. Uncle Dave was strong, wise, intelligent, well read, and passionate about politics and history. His many stories of his life's journey and experiences were so interesting, educational, and you always wanted to hear more. He never forgot a name whether the individual was someone he met, learned about or heard about---he had an incredible memory, and you would just be in awe of this ability.
We will forever miss you, Uncle Dave, and the absolutely kind, smart and loving Aunt Pat. I have been blessed to have had you in my life.
With much love, Reiko

Della Fiske-Turner

June 21, 2017

I was a class mate of Dave from 1st grade through High School (Craig Colorado. We were also teacher in the same school district (Craig, CO and also in District 6 in Littleton, CO. Dave had a great sense of humor and always had a smile. At other times, he was very serious and we had many political discussions. After our 50th class, he sent a letter to me thanking me for my friendship of all the years since 1st grade. He also sent along a picture of our 5th grade class and challenged me to name all of those class mates. I am very sad to know that he was ill and is now gone from this life.

Della Fiske-Turner

June 21, 2017

dell

GREG MORSE

June 21, 2017

MR COLES TAUGHT MY HISTORY CLASS AT AHS IN THE EARLY 1970'S.
HE WAS AN EXCELLENT INSTRUCTOR.
A REAL PROFESSIONAL IN ALL ASPECTS.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

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