Corey Linn Clements

Devoted husband, and loving son, brother, grandson, uncle, and dog-parent, Corey Linn Clements, died unexpectedly on July 11, 2010, in Portland, Oregon. He was 32. Born in Petoskey, Michigan on the morning of April 4, 1978, Corey grew up in Alanson and Petoskey, Michigan, but always said the mountains of Montana were his true home since he had traversed his first mountain pass at age 5. Corey loved adventure, nature, and the out-of-doors, he was a free soul when snowboarding through Lone Peak in Big Sky, Montana, and biking through the Big Sky trails. He was taught to fish by his stepfather, Tusco Heath when he was 3, and had his first camping experiences then, too.

Later, Alanson teacher, Dennis Jessick, taught Corey wilderness camping, a skill that would later serve him well in many mountain hiking adventures with Drew Ross when Corey moved to Big Sky, Montana. He also spent great times there with friends like Peter White and Craig Simpson

Also, in Big Sky, Corey continued to hone the culinary talents that once earned him a standing ovation during his tenure at The Bay View Inn, in Bay View, Michigan. He had completed the Culinary Arts course while attending Petoskey High School, and, in Big Sky, worked as kitchen supervisor at the Huntley dining room in Big Sky Resort, and later specialized in grilling steaks at the Corral Steak House, where he met his future wife.

Corey’s years in Montana brought him together with the two best friends of his life. In 2000 he acquired a brindled American Pit Bull puppy and named him Dola, which means “Bull” in Navajo. Dola would be Corey’s constant companion for the rest of his life, and the child of his soul, his protector and inseparable soulmate.

He also changed his vocation at this time, becoming interested in learning the building trades, in the tradition of his father and grandfather Clyde Sydow. He was hired as apprentice to a local builder, and felt it was a most satisfying vocation that allowed him to build and fix things. He loved working with his hands and helping people. Later he would become an electrician, as well.

In 2002, in Big Sky, Montana, Corey met the woman he would describe as his best friend and soulmate, Veronika Magali Tapia Giron, of Lima, Peru. On June 19, 2004, they were wed in Matlacha, Florida. The couple continued to live in Florida until 2007, when they moved to Portland, Oregon.

In 2008, Corey traveled to Peru for the first time to meet his Peruvian family, where he enjoyed a different culture and spent unforgettable moments with his wife’s family. On Dec. 19, 2009 he became a godfather of Jorge Alonso Tapia Tocas.

Corey is survived by his wife, Veronika Magali Clements, his mother Deborah Cole (Dale) (A. Newton Cole Jr.) of Matlacha, Florida , his father Robert Blaine Clements, of Alanson, Michigan, his grandmother, Mary A. Dale (Campbell), of Bradenton, Florida, grandmother Eleanor Clements (Sydow) and grandfather Alfred Blaine Clements, of Alanson, Michigan, brother Christopher Blaine Clements of Avon, Ohio, (Sherry Lautenbach), niece, Ella Morgan Clements, nephew, Riley Christopher Clements.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at Alanson Church of the Nazarene, in Alanson, Michigan.