Cody Allen Behler
(Pookie Ray)
June 5, 1987-June 25, 2019

It doesn’t seem real or possible that we could be writing this … but Cody was tragically taken from us in an automobile accident and our universe has been violently altered in a way that can never be repaired.

Cody was born at Mad River Hospital on his Mom’s 30th birthday, and will forever be her greatest present. Sharing the same birthday was only a small part of their amazing bond and they truly were best friends.

He grew up in McKinleyville in the Dows Prairie area and attended Dows Prairie Elementary, where he would make some of his best lifelong friends. Some of his favorite activities as a kid included swimming, riding bikes and playing in the woods. He also played soccer, baseball and basketball. As he got older, snowboarding, wake boarding and riding quads with his dad and brother became some of his favorite pastimes. But most of all he loved his dogs.

He graduated from Mack High in 2005 and moved to Trinidad shortly thereafter, where he would make lots of new friends, as he did wherever he went. Cody had many fun times at the Arcata Creamery and enjoyed going to the Fieldbrook Market where he always seemed to make friends. He also loved spending time at Trinity Lake and Mount Shasta whenever he could.

Cody loved music and went to many amazing festivals starting when he was 10. He had attended many concerts including Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith and The Eagles. He loved the Celtics and was lucky enough to go to quite a few NBA games. In his travels he had visited Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii, Miami and just recently, New York, with Chloë, the love of his life. They really seemed to have found true happiness and were only just beginning what could have been a long and beautiful life together.

Always quick to help a stranger in need and stand up for what was right without ever thinking twice about it. This was the attitude that drove him to become a volunteer firefighter. He was so proud of being a member of the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department and had attended the Eel River Valley Fire Academy and was a certified first responder.

We can only take solace knowing that Cody lived life the way that Cody wanted! He always loved storms, and in his own words he once likened himself to one. Another of his closest friends described him as a rocket ship. He was all that and more, to say the very least. Anyone that knew him knows he had the biggest heart and was a truly loyal friend.

He is survived by his parents, Kim and Michael (“Wheeler”); his brother Beau; sister-in-law Rachael; his beloved dogs, Shazzy and Bunny, Belley and Noogs; many close family members; all of his brother firefighters; and his very close friends Tyler Blevin, Donnie Battaglieri, Larrin McConnell, Willy and so many others it’s not possible to list.

Please join us on July 20 at 2 p.m. at the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department for a celebration of life, where a first responders procession honoring him will arrive shortly after. It will be a potluck, so bring a favorite dish if you want and if anyone has a favorite picture or pictures please bring copies for a photo album.

In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Cody Behler’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.