Christopher William Markley

1983 - 2018

Christopher William Markley
1983 - 2018
Christopher William Markley, born September 5, 1983 in Salmon, Idaho, was taken from this life on Wednesday, July 18, 2018.
Chris was known for his gentleness, good nature, and ability to maintain unfailing kindness to others. He loved animals, crafting, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He was never without a good book to read, and started collecting first editions at a young age. Chris radiated his joy and love for life. He was fascinated by "magic" that, in him, translated into the ability to imbue any atmosphere where he was present with solid love.
Chris grew up in Challis, Idaho. As a small child, Chris loved to play, sing and dance. Even at a young age Chris loved going to spend the night with friends and was always willing to travel anywhere. In his early years his family lived in Boise, California and Arkansas, which suited Chris's love of seeing new places.
Chris was excited to start kindergarten and loved spending time with his school friends. He attended Challis schools through eighth grade. He learned to play saxophone and flute, and enjoyed acting in stage productions. He attended Challis Community Church and participated in Cub Scouts, 4H, church camp, and soccer.
Chris attended high school at Emmett, Idaho, where he did very well and made many friends. He learned to drive on the mountain and river roads of Idaho—his parents never had to warn him to drive carefully. During his senior year he was awarded the Bundestag Scholarship, giving him a thirteenth year of school in Germany, where he lived with a host family who remained friends for the rest of his life.
Chris attended Marshall University at Huntington, WV for two years, participating in many student groups and activities, then transferred to Louisiana. He enjoyed the culture of New Orleans and surrounding area until Hurricane Katrina blew him back home, where the University of Idaho welcomed him with a full scholarship that covered all expenses as he earned his psychology degree.
Being fascinated with gems, he next attended the Gemological Institute in Carlsbad, California. He worked for Zales Jewelers while attending school. On completion, the school offered him a position as a diamond grader.
In 2008 Chris returned to Idaho for a geology degree from Boise State, where he served as residential assistant and worked at Borders. Chris moved into the house of his friend Robert Barnes. They became steadfast friends and brothers.
After completing his degree, Chris accepted a position with the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. He earned several promotions during this career. Last year, he decided to have property by the time he was 40, and acquired a second job with St. Luke's to save the down payment.
Chris and his father enjoyed many excursions into places where they could hunt for rocks and gems, and pan for gold.
Chris and Rob enjoyed many of the same activities, such as doing ceramics, going to ComicCons, and good times with their friends. Rob became a part of the Markley extended family, and vice versa.
Chris is survived by father Robert H. Markley, mother Pamela DeTray, brother Max (Richard) Markley; grandparents Sheila Rickard and Robert and Sylvia Markley; aunts Carol (Mike) Willard, Kathi Schmid, Denise Tuel, Suzy Markley; uncles Leonard (Julie) Markley, Michael (Beth) Markley, Andrew Rickard; numerous cousins, each of whom was cherished and loved; and many, many friends. He was preceded in death by grandfathers Richard L. DeTray and John Thomas Rickard, and uncles Steve Markley, Robert Schmid, and Patrick Shannon.
A joint celebration of Chris and Rob's life will take place at 2:00 p.m on Saturday, August 25 at the Riverside Hotel, 2900 Chinden Blvd., Boise. Gifts may be made to the Chris and Rob Memorial Fund at https://www.gofundme.com/the-rob-and-chris-memorial-fund, or as friends and loved ones desire to any charity in his honor.