Christopher Alan Shay (Sept. 1, 1970 – June 28, 2023)
Music gave a soul to Christopher Alan Shay (Sept. 1, 1970 – June 28, 2023), gave wings to his mind and flight to his imagination. As we look back on his life, and grieve his death, we are grateful there were so many moments he was able to sing or dance while music was being played.
Born in Seattle, Washington, to Sandra (Maurer) Shay and Larry Shay, the family eventually relocated to the Maurer homestead in Newman Lake, Washington. There, Chris’ childhood was one filled with joy and wonderment. He was a dreamer and always had plans for his next grand adventure.
These adventures soon included his younger brother Kevin and making music along with numerous friends who were drawn to the boys’ carefree and spirited ways. When they weren’t making music, they were making movies, creating new inventions, playing in the woods, rafting on the water, building forts, and participating in other hijinks.
Chris and Kevin’s band, Men in the Making, was one of the most lasting and successful adventures to come from the Shay house. Graduating from East Valley High School, Chris turned his interest in computers into earning his business degree in information technology from North Idaho College, all while contributing to the growing regional success of Men in the Making.
On Sept. 4, 2000, Chris embarked on what he might call his favorite adventure, being a dad. First to Madison Shay, who was then joined on Aug. 14, 2002 by sister Macy. He loved to travel and explore the outdoors with them. Their happiness was his happiness. His daughters miss their dad, but his love will be forever reflected in their beautiful smiles and kind hearts.
He worked for many years at Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories. With skills in graphic design, and in sound and video editing, his legacy at PAML was in merging technology with creativity. He was famous for saying, “Let’s make something grand!” This extended to his hobbies outside of work, writing and recording music, more inventions, and his lifelong tinkering with engines and anything with moving parts.
Please carry Chris in your hearts by letting life be like music. Sing and dance while the music is being played.
Chris is survived by his devoted wife, Thomara Shay. He is lovingly remembered by his mom, Sandra Shay; his daughters, Madison and Macy Shay, and their mother Lisa Shay; his brother Kevin Shay; stepchildren Kyle Baublitz and Kayla (Udo) Wetthauer; grandchildren Emilee and Kaiden; bonus mother to the Shay boys, Mary Murphy; and numerous other family and friends. Chris’ faithful companion and soulmate, dog Kara, also brightened his days. He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Shay; grandparents Albert and Josephine Maurer, and Grandmother Florence Shay.
A casual, open house-style celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 1 pm to 4 pm at D-Mac’s at the Lake, 11304 N. Cliff House Rd., Hauser, ID 83854. Pastor Michael Wiser will lead the memorial portion beginning at 2 pm. Please bring your favorite memories of Chris. Parking is limited, so carpool, if possible.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Family and friends would also like to sincerely thank Michael McCarthy, MD, and Allison Lambert, MD, for their efforts in helping Chris to make music and find joy for as long as he did.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Christopher Alan Shay, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Celebration of Life
16
Sep
11304 N Cliff House Rd
Hauser, ID 83854
