R.I.P.
Cory Michael Emerson
3/31/89 - 8/11/07

On the morning of August 11, 2007 at 6:09am, we recieved a call from my brother-in-law telling us that my nephew, my only sister's oldest son, Cory Michael Emerson, had been killed in a tragic car crash along with 2 of his best friends. Our world literally turned upside down with the news of this unimaginable tragedy.

Cory was like a 2nd son to me. I helped care for him through his baby years. I lived with his Mom through his toddler years. When I got married, he spent nearly every weekend and most of the summers with us. He came to stay with me for years afterwards until he found music and a social life in his mid-teens. I was his Aunt NeeNee - his Aunt Neisha.

Cory was a beautiful child, who was growing into a beautiful young man. Inside and Out. He had a huge heart when it came to animals...especially those of the baby variety. He took up guitar at age 15 and flourished rapidly. He was kind and respectful to his family. He won the 2007 Floyd Central talent show. He was chosen as student of the month at Prosser out of thousands of other students. He planned to attend college in the fall to further his music. He wanted children someday. His mom and I used to always talk about what pretty babies he would make one day.

In the early morning hours of August 11th, 2007, he was heading home with his friends when the unthinkable happened. The driver of the car he was in didn't see the stop sign. They entered the intersection unaware and were blindsided. After spinning at high speed they crashed into an electric pole. My dear Cory and his good friend Juljenna Krauss, who was an exchange student the year before from Germany, died instantly. Cory and Juljenna both had on their seatbelts, as they always did. His friend, Tim Brunmeier who was in the backseat with Cory, was ejected from the car and later died at the hospital. Rob Henderson, who was driving, was also taken to the hospital and later released with minor injuries. Rob and Cory had been best friends and played music together for many years.

The intersection is poorly marked and poorly lit. He was not from the area and due to the lack of warning of the intersection, he didn't even see the stop sign. We hold no anger towards Rob, as we know it was an accident directly related to the unsafe nature of the intersection. We feel for the young man. We know his own guilt and grief will haunt him for the rest of his life. He loved his friends, especially his best friend, Cory, and would've never put their lives in harms way.

Our beloved Cory will always be missed. There is a void in our lives now that can never be filled. My sister and are very close and our 2 little families have always spent tons of time together. We lost our parents many years ago and have stuck to eachother tightly. Holidays will never be the same. I'll always feel a little bit of sadness each time I make deviled eggs or pumpkin pie. His house will seem so quiet now without the background guitar Cory always provided. Taco Bell sauce packets will no longer be saved as a gift. My sister will no longer be able to share her latest Cory-itis stories with me when we work together.

Cory Michael Emerson. My Nephew. My sister's son. My children's cousin. He touched so many lives during his short 18 years.

A link to Cory & Ben during their winning performance at Floyd Central's 2007 Talent Show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vbflLgA6p4

A couple of Cory's senior pictures.

My sister, Dina with Cory


Cory and my son, Logan, were very close.


Cory always had a way of falling asleep anywhere-anytime. This is one of my favorites.


Capturing one of the many fun times the kids shared together growing up.


Cory and his siblings, Bethany and Gehrid.


The kids in my wedding.


His first real band...The Rob Henderson Trio...later renamed Hypothetically Speaking.

Cory's silly side.

My favorite photo of Cory...doing what he loved most. Such a handsome...nay.... beautiful young man.

Many of his friends & family got tattoos in Cory's memory. Here are 4...

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