Joey Chumley was born on Sept. 18, 1978, in Soldotna, Alaska. He grew up in Sterling, Alaska, and graduated from Skyview High School in 1996. He lived most of his adult life in Washington state. Anyone who ever met Joey knew his unparalleled humor was one of, if not the best, of his qualities. Joey enjoyed building a hardwood slabber and working on the family sawmill with his dad. He played the guitar, which he taught himself, and could pick up any instrument and find himself playing a song or two in no time. He was extremely intelligent and was appointed to West Point Military Academy but did not pursue that path. Though most of his life he struggled with addiction, the times he was sober, working in the family construction company and spending time with family were the times his family treasured most.
Joey is preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Cowboy Chumley and Wanda House and Jack Folson and Dorothy Lunsford and Margaret Holland; his daughter, Jasper Chumley; and cousins Leelynn and Jason Chumley, Tommy Ellison and Tisha Grandstaff; aunt Linda Smith and uncle Gil Folsom.
He is survived by his parents, Joe and Jackie Chumley, of Battle Ground, Washington; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jacquet and Matt Curtis and Janette and Wade Dickerman; sister, Christi Wells; brother-in-law, Kelly Larrow; children Haley and Abby Every, Bodie, Kendrix and Jackson Chumley; nieces Shavonya (Sean) Whitmore, Jaden Carey and Jacee Gilmore, Kate and Ali Curtis; nephews Joseph Larrow, Justin Carey, Jackota Salmi, Logan Chumley, Weston, Austin and Garrett Gilmore; great-niece Nayeli Larrow; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. May 4 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Freedom House in Joey’s name. The Freedom House address is 185 Shady Lane, Soldotna, Alaska, 99669.
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