Jared Clinger, Funeral Director/Embalmer & Founder/Owner

Jared is the co-founder of Colonial Funeral Home.  He attended and graduated from Mt. Hood Community College in funeral service in 1991.  In 1992, Jared and Leon fouded the funeral home.  Jared thoroughly enjoys the relationship with his father-in-law, mentor, and friend, Leon.  “I feel a deep gratitude toward Leon, our staff, and especially our client families for our friendships and for the lessons in life we learn together.  I have been blessed to witness first hand the love, compassion, courage, and healing associated with the loss of a loved one.”

Jared grew up on a family farm in American Falls, Idaho.  He played basketball for Ricks College and earned an Associates Degree.  After returning from a two year mission for his church in Brazil, he married Michelle Manning and soon they became a family with five sons: Austin, Mason, Dane, Cody, and Marshall.  Jared, Michelle, and family are active in Century High School sports and their church.

Brad Sparrow, Funeral Director/Embalmer

Brad is the assistant manager of Colonial Funeral Home and joined the staff in 2007.  He has been in the funeral industry since 1987 and graduated from mortuary college in California.  He spent 10 years working in the Sacramento, California, area and the past 4 years in Kallispell, Montana.  Brad is excited to be back in his home town.

He was born in Preston and was raised in Pocatello and Preston.  He is married to Kathy (Beery) and they have two children: Shayla and Preston.  He is active in his church and served a two year mission in St. Louis, Missouri and Nauvoo, Illinois.  He enjoys all out door activities.

John D. Perkes, Funeral Director/Embalmer

John is the Office Manager at Colonial Funeral Home and joined the staff in May of 2006.  He is a second-generation funeral director and has grown up in a funeral home…literally.  His father has been a funeral director in the west for 30 years. John has wanted to be a funeral director since the first grade and his first job in a funeral home was dusting the chairs in the chapel for a penny each.  He graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science with a Diploma in Mortuary Science. John also has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Accountancy.

John calls Idaho home although he has also lived in other states around the west.  He served a two year mission for his church in the California San Fernando Mission.  John is married to Kellie Pierce and together they have two children: Ashlyn and Adrianna.  The Perkes family lives in Pocatello.

J.O. Cotant, Funeral Assistant

J.O. is a funeral assistant for Colonial Funeral Home and has been working with the staff and families we serve for over a year. Prior to coming to our funeral home, J.O. was a building contractor, involved in farming and ranching, and also spent 10 years as the Bannock County Commissioner.

J.O. has been married to Kathy Cotant for 42 years. He credits a successful marriage to figuring out 25 years ago that Kathy is right all the time. Ever since then it has been marital bliss. They have 4 grown boys, 7 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. The Cotants reside in Tyhee.

Kathy Cotant, Funeral Assistant

Kathy is a funeral assistant for Colonial Funeral Home and has been working with us for over a year. Prior to coming to the funeral home she worked for West Clinic and for the past 15 years worked as an office manager in a dental office.

Kathy is married to J.O. Cotant and is a mother of 4 boys. They also have 7 grandchildren and 1 (soon to be 2) great-grandchildren. Kathy has lived in the Bannock County all of her life and has enjoyed being active in her church and community. The Cotants live in Tyhee.

Brian Richardson, Funeral Assistant

Brian is a funeral assistant and has worked part-time for Colonial Funeral Home off and on since the founding of the business.  Brian spends his days working for the Pocatello School District in the maintenance department as a locksmith.  At the funeral home, he answers the phone in the evening and assists with funeral services on the weekend.

Brian was raised in the Inkom area and has spent his adult life in Pocatello.  He served a 2 year mission for his church in Ontario, Canada.  Brian and his wife Marianne have 4 children and 4 grandchildren.  They reside in Pocatello.

Scott Olson, Advanced Planning

Scott Olson is the after-care director and pre-need specialist at Colonial Funeral Home. He helps people pre-arrange funerals and also helps families after a loss with financial questions and the needed paperwork. He joined the staff in July of 2010 and brings over 30 years experience in helping people succeed financially. He was born in Portland Oregon and completed his education at Mount Hood Community College and the University of Oregon in Business Management before moving to Utah. Most of the 30 years have been in Eastern Idaho which he calls home.Previously, Scott has been in Banking and Finance industry as a loan officer, branch manager, district manager and financial advisor for American Express. Scott has been evolved in his community serving in Lion’s club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, School Board, City Council, Gem Community Team, Economic Development Boards, Oregon California Trail Center and Boy Scouts.Scott is married at Ann and they have one son, four daughters and 11 grandchildren. He is excited about serving people in the area.

Bob Sweat, Funeral Assistant

Robert C. Sweat grew up on a farm in Carey, Id. He attended ISU a year before serving in the Northern States Mission. He met the love of his life, Gayle, at Ricks College. They were married in 1965 and returned to ISU where Bob graduated from Applied Tech. He worked and later taught at ISU. He retired after working there for 36 years.

Bob’s passion has been coaching – little league football, baseball, basketball, and one year of Legion Baseball. He was thrilled when his own sons were old enough to play and he was able to coach them. He has also had the honor of coaching some of his grandsons. Now he coaches from the stands. Most of his travel is trying to get to all his grandsons and granddaughters various sports and activities.

Gayle Sweat, Funeral Assistant

Gayle Dana Sweat was raised in Star Valley, WY. She attended Ricks College, moved to Las Vegas with her family for the summer before coming back to Idaho to marry her best friend, Bob. He didn’t want to move to Star Valley and she didn’t want to move to Carey, so Pocatello became their home. They have 3 sons and 3 daughters. When her youngest child started kindergarten, Gayle returned to work for the Church Educational System. She retired from CES in 2006. She has been her children’s and grandchildren’s most loyal and best cheerleader. She is now excited to have a great-granddaughter.

Bob and Gayle are involved in their church. They have served as ordinance workers in the Idaho Falls Temple and have also served in the Idaho Pocatello Mission office.