Richard Cole Obituary

Richard Ray Cole

February 28, 2024

Richard Ray Cole, AGE 84, Passed away February 28, 2024. Resident of Santa Maria, Ca. Arrangements are under the direction of Dudley-Hoffman Mortuary, Crematory and Memory Gardens www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Maria Times on Mar. 5, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Cole

Sponsored by Dudley-Hoffman Mort, Crematory & Memory Gardens.

8 Entries

David Grimmitt

August 10, 2025

Was like a second Dad to me. Loved speed as much as I did.

Dave Grimmitt

May 13, 2024

Known Richard since the early 90's in Santa Maria. We had some fun , sold some cars, dragged out some too. Eat Queenie burgers and lemonade, or cinnamon rolls and hot choc some morning too. Concours Italiano shows , picking up garage poop bombs left by freda the dog. He was my mentor for being honest, and fair. Met alot of famous folks being arpond Richard, but they were just people to Rickard, drove a few famous cars around Richard, my all time was 1957 Tessa Rossa #3, to him, those were his jewels. I moved east 7 years ago, we spoke from time to time, I felt a dagger in my heart when he said they took is license away, I knew I would be saying good bye soon. No better saying would be, Capt my Capt, chase them down and beat them. Thank you for making my life better than I could had hoped for. Lov you Pop's

Sam Burg

April 27, 2024

I met Richard almost 40 yrs ago when I joined the Exchange Club in 1985. There was this guy with a big smile and he actually owned Ferraris which was my dream car. Being a car person, we quickly became friends. Richard always had amazing car stories from crewing at Le Mans to a CHP car blowing up after trying to catch him on the 101. In 1988 we became neighbors when Richard called me and said the house next store to him on 5 acres was for sale. Richard took me for my first Ferrari ride over Tepesquet Mountain in his Daytona leading 5 other Ferraris over to Hwy 166. I was holding on to the grab bar for dear life while Richard was flying over the narrow road, and all I'm thinking, is if someone is driving like this coming the other way, we're dead. In 1994, Richard called me at 7 am and asked me if I wanted to go down to Rodeo Drive for the introduction of the Ferrari 348 Spider. Of course I said yes, when is it? Richard said, I'll pick you up an hour. The next thing I know, we're driving to Beverly Hills in his Daytona! It was an unforgettable day, meeting the President of Ferrari North America, seeing the unveiling of the car, and then seeing pictures of myself in several car magazines later. And we had our picture taken with Jay Leno! I still treasure the picture of Richard driving me in his Daytona on Laguna Seca Raceway. How would I describe Richard? He was the life of the party, Mr Ferrari, and he reminded me of Clint Eastwood. For years he was a Ferrari Concourse judge. He could fix any car, and he was the encyclopedia on all things Ferrari. Our friendship has been enduring through the years as a group of us met for Thursday lunches and swapped stories on life. I am sure Richard is in heaven having lunch with Enzo Ferrari. While we will miss him here, we are all grateful for his friendship, and are better for having known him. His memory lives on every time I get behind the wheel of my Ferrari.

Larry Souza

March 25, 2024

Richard was a wealth of Ferrari info and always had time to talk about the marque. Speed on, Richard!

David Gunn

March 14, 2024

I reconnected relatively recently with Richard a long time after we were both part of a team that ran a comp Daytona in the '79 Daytona 24 hour. Always engaging it was a pleasure to be with him. Rest my friend.

Patrick Diamante

March 9, 2024

To my friend Richard Cole May you rest in peace. I am at a loss for words. Blessings and memories of our days driving through the beautiful wine country. I will miss seeing you behind the wheel and hearing the scream of your Ferrari at speed.

Nick Farros

March 6, 2024

My friendship with Richard began in 2010 when I was inquiring about his 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 (Daytona), that he owned for about 27 years. After a long conversation with Richard, I decided to purchase the 71 Daytona and have it restored to concours quality. From that point forward, Richard was more than a mentor of Ferraris, he became a friend. I will always cherish the life experiences Richard shared with me, and wish everyone could be as lucky as I am to have those memories embedded in my mine. I will never forget the numerous phone calls Richard and I had, especially his response when I would ask him how he was doing.......Richard would always say, "I woke up and saw the light, so its a good day and I feel great!" His positive outlook was contagious and uplifting, which is a rare trait these days. Although Richard is no longer here, everyone that knew and met him will keep his memories alive. As for me, every time I get in the 71 Daytona Richard will be with me in spirit and that will always put a smile on my face. Rest in peace Richard.....I know you are driving a Ferrari somewhere!!!

Keith Williams

March 5, 2024

I found him a pretty likable guy. I´ve only know him for the past 10 years in his favorite topics. Cars, automotive things. I always enjoyed interacting with him at car shows where he judged cars, and also at the Pismo Beach Derelicts (Cars and Coffee) I´ll mis him.

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