If you were classified as Chris’ friend, you never stayed that way for long. His friends all became family becoming brothers and sisters to Chris and children to his Momma. Chris brought more than 70 of them home to live with us when they needed a home. There are too many of them to name here, but we want to acknowledge Curtis Taylor (Chris’ football, baseball and fishing friend); Charmaine Zumalt and her children, the wonderful woman Chris lived with for years and maintained contact with to this day; DJ Thayer and Jimmy Bonne. They will always be family to Chris’ Momma and Heather.
Chris worked hard his entire life and advanced quickly wherever he was employed. In addition, Chris loved his sports and was a die-hard Chiefs and Royals fan. Chris always made it a point to notify his friends when they were playing, attended all the celebrations or either team, and never missed a game if he could avoid it. He also liked to go fishing when given the opportunity. One of the last visits with his Momma involved a fantastic day of fishing at the pond and shooting guns in the country. Chris had a wicked and dry sense of humor, making those in his company laugh until they cried. Chris always made it a point to call his Momma for her birthday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and never failed to ask his Momma to dance with him. He always remembered those in his life.
Chris was brutally honest with people. Consequently, since this is Chris’ obituary, we would be negligent if we failed to acknowledge the fact that Chris used to have a ‘father’, Tom Koontz. Unfortunately for Tom, he chose to exit Chris’ life during a rough time. You see, Chris had the misfortune to see 33 of his friends die or be killed during his junior and senior years at Ruskin High School, resulting in Chris losing his way for a while in his grief. Tom, however, chose to ignore Chris, told him he was not welcome at his grandmother’s funeral, accused him of things that Chris would have never thought of doing to anyone, and condemned Chris because of mistakes from thirty years ago. We extend our sympathy to you for missing out on knowing an amazing man, but Chris told you himself that his Momma was the only father.
Chris is survived by his Momma, Ladena Bough, and Bill Dickey; his sister, Heather Johannsen and Dennis Joseph; nieces and nephew, Harley Johannsen, Dillion Bagby, and Wyatt Thayer; paternal aunt, Karen Stotler; cousin, Cara Stotler Kitch; maternal uncle Randy Bough and wife Kim; along with a host of aunts, stepbrothers, a stepsister, and cousins on the Dickey side of the family. We acknowledge Tommy Koontz; Jack Koontz (paternal grandfather); Angela McMahon (paternal cousin); Norma Grace Bough (maternal grandmother); Kathy McGinty (maternal aunt) and husband Dennis; and cousins, Jimmy, Sarah, Jamie and their families. You missed knowing an amazing man.
The family requests your presence at Chris’ Celebration of Life at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 West Foxwood Drive, Raymore MO, on January 11, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. As a further request, Chris’ Momma asks that those who knew Chris write out some of your favorite memories of your times with Chris so that she can make a remembrance book of his life. You can bring them to the Celebration of Life or email them to ladenabough@gmail.com.
Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278
