“"Dying ain't important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living." - John Henry
Life story
Our Champion, Our Friend, Our Brother, Our Son, Our Missionary, began his eternal mission Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007, as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic car accident on Chalk Creek Road, while driving to work. Coltan is survived by his parents, Rene Wilde and Sharlen Draper Potter; his sisters, Cierra, Savanna and Kaitlin Phelps (Nick and Duke Mikel). He is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Arlen and Sybil Draper of Payson, AZ; as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles and other families who considered him a son. Coltan's paternal grandparents are Lew and Jean Potter (deceased).
Coltan loved and lived life to the fullest right from the start. As soon as he could walk, he began riding a stick horse with his sisters around the old house in Hoytsville. Guns drawn as his dad yelled "Coltan Duke Potter, Come a Ridin', Cowboy!", Coltan would come barreling in with his cowboy boots and trademark smile. Coltan began wrestling at three years old. His natural abilities and love of the sport evolved into a wall full of trophies and medals. As his physical body developed, so did his mental strength. In his senior year at North Summit High School, he wrote in his planner "I WILL TAKE STATE." Every day he read that statement, believed it, and DID IT.
He overcame many obstacles on his way to winning the 2005 Utah State Wrestling Championship in his weight class, including the passing of his Grandma Potter, who was watching in the stands. He was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for that tournament. He was the uncontested leader of the team and was deservedly given the title of "The Slam Man." Coltan led by example - on and off the mat - and was a role model for all those who were privileged to know him.
Coltan was most passionate about his family, friends, music, extreme sports, wakeboarding, girls, fireworks, and blowing things up. He was always on the go and was a genuine friend to all.
Called to serve in the Lisbon, Portugal Mission, he was scheduled to enter the MTC on Sept. 12, 2007. Thanks to all those who came to his farewell on Sunday, Aug. 26. He was truly touched and humbled by the love he felt and the show of support from so many.
"Elder Coltan Duke Potter, Come A Ridin', Cowboy!"
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007 at 1 p.m. in the Coalville Stake Chapel. Friends and family may call at the church Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where to start, I had the great fortune of being a part of Coltan's life and honor to call him a brother and friend. He was a dreamer, but more than a dreamer he was a dream chaser. With an unyielding tenacity to turn those dreams into goals and work ethic second to none to realize those goals. I will always cherish the perspectives he had and taught me on life, living, work, mistakes, and forgiveness. One of the most enduring lessons I've had was because of him and wrestling. Throughout various times in my life when things have seemed insurmountable, I just remember back to wrestling practice and think I've already done harder things, Potter wouldn't let me quit then and he wouldn't want me to quit now. His memory and lessons live on as I try to instill those same lessons and share our stories with my own boys. I pray that they grow up with the same attributes that Coltan displayed.
I never met Coltan Potter. The first time I heard about him was on August 28, 2012 in the mission home of the Argentina Buenos Aires South mission (His Heaven Day). I was appointed to be his sister Cierra’s companion. Throughout our time together, there were moments that the influence of the Holy Ghost felt strongly in a special kind of way. More than anything the feelings of reverence, gratitude, peace, and love were ever present, particularly when teaching the Great Plan of Salvation of God to those wanting to learn of Him.
It wasn’t difficult for me to discern that angels from the other side of the veil were assisting in and also testifying with a greater portion of the spirit of the teachings that were being imparted. I will never know how to describe it but I will forever attribute it to my companion’s missionary brother, Elder Potter. I will forever be grateful for the time that God granted me to serve with these two, Cierra & Coltan. Because of Him and them, my own testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is stronger. And for the sacred experiences that I personally lived, because it helped me realize that the spirit world truly exists and that Coltan, plus billions and billions like him, are just awaiting their final resurrection of the just. May we each day live joyfully looking forward to that glorious day!
I don't remember interacting much with Coltan before his accident. All of my memories of Coltan now are lessons and sacred experiences that have come since he gained his wings. These are lessons and experiences that I've learned through your family, and the connection we have. Looking back to when we lost Jarek, although there are things I can't remember, one thing I do remember is very quickly having our Potter fam come in to my mind, and it gave me peace. I had a hope in me almost immediately, that things were going to be ok and that my family could make it- because you guys were. You unknowingly were teaching me how to grieve, how to carry on, how to live without a literal part of me. Because of Coltan, and through the rest of you, I have been comforted that even though my life now was always going to be an uphill battle with mountain after mountain ahead of me, what is on the other side of that climb, and the view at the top is all going to be worth it!
I also cannot think of Coltan and not think of sunflowers. This beautiful ornamental flower has become my favorite flower, because of Sharlen and Coltan. I love the reminders the sunflowers give in their growing. How they "turn their face to the sun", and how we too should always strive to turn our face to the Son and follow Him. For if we do that, He will always lead us to safety and to a place of peace, and ultimately because of Him we'll look into the eyes of our sons once more.
Coltan was a champion in this life, there's no doubt. The picture of him standing in victory with his fists in the air after that iconic last wrestling season he had is representative of his earth life. Coltan came to this earth, wresled through his toughest battles, and in the end was able to raise his arms in victory for overcoming the world. He's forevermore one of the greats to me. I still remember vividly, attending his farewell talk, and the luncheon afterwards. I knew he'd make a great missionary! Just as vividly I remember hearing a few days later of the tragedy of his passing. I remember where I was and what I was doing in that moment. Time stood still, and it took my breath away.
Coltan no doubt is still a great missionary! I often wonder how closely he and Jarek get to work and interact. I'm grateful for the knowledge that this life is not the end. The why's don't make sense right now of the reasons our boys had to go when they did, but I know one day it will. Thank you Potter's for walking this journey with us. Thank you Coltan for leading the way for us all! The love I have for you all is something I don't have earthly words for. Keep climbing, you will see your Champion again!
A brother. While not blood brothers, he was MY brother. A country boy who accepted this city boy into his family. I have so many good memories spending time in “Gods country” around his home chasing one another on 4 wheelers, hunting one another with paintball guns, or wrestling in the basement. He and his family were my adopted family. There was never a dull moment. While we were childish in play, I’ve never met a kid that was so well grounded in what mattered. He understood his duty and purpose and stuck to it. He was loyal, he was trustworthy, he was a great example of who I should be. As “strong and a tough guy” as his exterior showed, he was kind and tender hearted. Fierce with loyalty and direction.
He is and always will be my brother. I miss him greatly and cannot wait to meet again with a punch on the arm, a warm embrace, and a cold cream soda to tell stories.
Coltan will always hold a special place in my heart. I have so many fond memories of him from high school. He sure knew how to make me laugh, and was always teasing me in the way only a brother could.
We sat next to each other in Mr. Ruff’s computer class and Coltan would come in wearing Aqua Di Gio. It was the same cologne that Riley(my boyfriend that had just left on a mission) wore. I told him one day that his cologne reminded me of Riley, and that it made me miss him. Coltan then continued to wear it and let me give him hugs whenever I was missing Riley. He somehow always knew when I needed a genuine hug. And Coltan gave the BEST hugs.
Cheerleading was my thing in high school and I loved flying. So when Coltan agreed to stunt with me, I was thrilled! I love that he wasn’t too cool to do that for me, and I always thought it was so awesome that I had a guy friend strong enough to lift me into the air😄
Coltan may not have been here on Earth with us for very long, but he sure did make an impact in that short time. What a great day it will be when I get to receive another big bear hug from my friend Coltan.
My favorite memory of Colton was the time we were racing on north Main Street headed to the swing. We were shooting Roman candles and bottle rockets back and forth between vehicles. We landed a bottle rocket through the driver window of Colton’s car and it exploded. It was hilarious. After we safely got to our destination we found the water had receded a ways out from the swing tree. Never fear we found a 55 gallon drum to give us the height we needed to reach the water. Dooby Drew went first. He made it to the water and landed on his butt. He was laughing and said it was great. Then Colton went next. I helped balance him on the barrel and he took off. He landed on his feet in the water…all 6 inches of it. He messed his ankle up from the impact and we helped him hobble to the car so we could go to the clinic. The whole time Drew was laughing and telling us how bad it hurt but he wanted to see us do it so he said it was great. He was most likely stoned. The worst part about the whole ordeal is that it was during football hell week so Colton was off for a few weeks but I don’t think he missed a game. This is just one of the many many stories of us being hoodlums and making memories.
Merry Christmas to you all
Love,
Shoat
Coltan-
Memories I will cherish forever-
Your contagious smile
Your drive and determination that was unmatched
Your sense for fun and adventure
Your love and inclusive spirit
Your big hugs that always made everything feel right-
Love and miss you
Megan
There are many memories that I have of Coltan and the Potter family as I grew up! From blowing things up, paint ball gun shots at point blank, wild Roman candle fights, bunny bashing, dating girls, eating Sharlen’s homemade cookies and getting life advice in the kitchen, snow man tackling… you name it we did it! I always remember Coltan though for his persistence in life to never give up and setting his sights on the prize. In the summer before his Senior year he told me his goal was to take State Champion in Wrestling in his weight bracket. I remember telling him that he would likely do it with his skills that he had learned and perfected. However, he then threw a curve ball and told me he would do it with an undefeated season. I remember getting wide eyed and telling him that would be a pretty tough accomplishment, but he was determined that he would do it. He racked up the wins and eventually made it to the state championship round where he pinned his opponent with a 41-0 undefeated record! I have always admired his drive, confidence and aspirations to always aim high. I love telling my kids of the stories that Coltan and me had and watching them giggle til they are red in the face with tears running down their cheeks! Coltan lived life in such a big way and I am grateful that I was able to live it with him on all of our wild adventures! I hold these memories dear to my heart as well as the Potter family who were also in many of these crazy adventures, but most importantly for all the love and support they have given and continue to give to me and my family. I want you to know how much I love each and every one of you! I also cherish so many memories with each of you! Thank you so much for allowing me and my family to be a part of your family! We love you so much and hope you know our gratitude and prayers go out to each and every one of you! Always remember to be like a sunflower and turn towards the Son!!!
