Obituary: Christopher Charles Stalnaker

Christopher Charles Stalnaker

Christopher Charles Stalnaker

Christopher Charles Stalnaker, born July 27, 1948, Madera, California, deceased May 12, 2017, in Georgetown, Guyana. Born in Madera, California to George and Anne Stalnaker, Chris was raised in Bass Lake, California. After the death of his mother, at the age of 16, he and his father relocated to Prescott, Arizona, where he attended Prescott High School.

After completing high school, Chris enlisted in the United States Army on Sept. 5, 1967, and served two tours in the First of the Ninth Cavalry Air Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several other medals for his service in the Vietnam War.

Upon his return from Vietnam, he met Cathy Cockman and they were married in 1970. Chris and Cathy had two sons, Zeke “Stan” and Isaac Stalnaker. After the two separated, Chris remarried Helen Andrews in 1977. Chris adopted Helen’s son, Adam and the couple had two more children, Erin and Lincoln Stalnaker. Christopher remarried for a third time in 2002 and remained married to Charmaine Kidwell until the time of his death. Chris is survived by Stan, Isaac, Erin, Lincoln, and Charmaine Stalnaker.

Chris studied geology at Northern Arizona University, and worked as a millwright, prospector, and mine superintendent. Chris actively worked several gold mining claims and operated a mill in the Bradshaw Mountains until 2003, when he went to Guyana, South America to oversee gold dredging operations. From then on, he primarily lived and worked in Guyana. He passed away in the Georgetown, Guyana Public Hospital May 12, 2017. He was cremated on a ghat and most of his ashes were spread in the Mazaruni River.

Chris was a long, tall drink of water and skinnier than a bean pole. He had a deep, resonant voice, a wonderful laugh and lovely jade green eyes. He was well-read and could be surprisingly charismatic when the mood struck him. Today would have been his 70th birthday and he is missed for his story telling, his wild adventures, his intelligence, his resourcefulness, his work ethic, his love and knowledge of the Arizona mountains, his poker playing, and his delicious rum coffees.

Information provided by survivors.


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