Obituary of James Corey Shestokes

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of James Corey Shestokes, age 36, on Wednesday July 26, 2023, in Chandler, AZ.

James was born at Fort Lewis, WA on April 2, 1987, to Rebecca Laughlin (Nee), and Stanley J. Shestokes.  After high school James settled in Chandler, AZ, close to his friends and family.  He worked as a Team Lead for Waymo Operations at Cognizant Technology Solutions.  He loved his job and was very proud of the job he did there.

James could light up a room by simply entering.  He was outgoing and had a great sense of humor, he loved to make people laugh.  He also had the ability to talk to anyone whether he knew you or not.  He made people feel at ease, as if they had known him for years.

He loved cooking, spending time with friends and family, building computers, and playing video games.  He especially loved the ocean.  The ocean was his favorite place to visit, where he enjoyed the serenity and calm the ocean offered.

James will be missed greatly by his mother, Rebecca Laughlin, sister Janine (Matt) Thielsen, Grandmother Norinne Laughlin, brother Okey (Windy) Ogba, his loving nieces and nephews Ella, Taylor, Cole, and Christian, many other family members and friends, and his dogs Kylo and Cooper (Vador).

He was greeted in heaven by his sister, Hope Yu, Grandparents Erwin and Nora Hunemuller, his Uncle Joe and Cousin Justin.  He will be loved here on earth and in heaven.

A private service will be held for James with close friends and family.  He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony to spread his ashes in the Pacific Ocean, a place he truly cherished.

 

A Viking Prayer

“Lo, there do I see my father.

           Lo, there do I see my mother,          

and my sisters, and my brothers.

Lo, there do I see the line of my people,

back to the beginning!

 

Lo, they do call to me.

They bid me take my place among them,

in the halls of Valhalla!

Where the big-hearted may live forever!”