Christopher Talley

Christopher G. Talley passed away at his home in Cape Girardeau on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, at the age of 67.

He was born in Montgomery, Ala., to Pat and Missouri Talley. He grew up with a brother, Pat, and sisters Merry, Robin and Francis. During his young years, Chris was known for his love of dogs, ability to find mischief and the creation of Stopherese, a unique language developed by Chris to describe everything from human anatomy to automotive parts. Anyone inducted into the Talley family had to learn Stopherese, and it is now in its third generation of native speakers.

With the possible exception of the neighborhood cats, Chris was known for his caring and sweet demeanor. This led him to pursue a career in nursing and anesthesia. It was here he met his wife, Joanie, and, after traveling across Europe and Northern Africa, they landed in Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri Hospital would never be the same after Chris' arrival. Rumor has it that after working in the anesthesia department for a few years, the maintenance group got an anonymous petition to install a separate ventilation system just for Chris and his penchant for passing gas.

This would come as no surprise to his three children, Catherine, Allison and Hunter. Indeed, they learned early on that Dad would take any and all opportunities to have his finger pulled. They knew that he would always have ChapStick in his pocket and smell like Old Spice. Never one to belabor the obvious, his quiet demeanor and intelligence belied a quick and dry wit that had the family in stitches nearly every day. If he wasn't at the hospital, you could find Chris at home on his John Deere tractor, clearing walking trails in the woods around the house or sawing trees down for winter firewood.

While Chris loved being at home, he loved traveling more. His repertoire of places visited includes China, Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, Tibet, Morocco, Egypt, the entire European continent and nearly every state in the U.S. Traveling with Chris was like having your own personal tour guide as well, as he knew detailed history of every place he went.

It was during the 55th year of his charmed life that Chris was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. With a heavy heart Chris resigned from his 20-year career at Southeast Missouri Hospital as the chief nurse anesthetist. Not even this devastating disease could dampen Chris' spirits. When he was asked if he was upset over his situation, Chris said this: "I still feel like one of the luckiest people in the world. I got paid for having fun, I live in a beautiful place, I have traveled the world with someone I love, and my kids are wonderful. How could I look to the heavens and ask, 'Why are you doing this to me?' I'd feel like a spoiled brat."

And so Chris began his last journey, a trip back through the developmental ages. Focusing on what they had rather than what they didn't have, he and his wife, Joanie, made the 13-year journey with laughter, fun and a few tears. His last days were in his home that he loved, with his family that he loved. The world can truly say that a great man passed this way.

Goodbye, Sweetie, Dad, Stopher, Paw Paw and Chris. You are our heart and our soul. We will love you forever. Night night.

At Chris' request, there will be no services. The family requests that donations be made to the Chris Talley Alzheimer's Dementia Fund through the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation: 334-9254.

We would like to thank family, friends and Southeast Missouri Hospice for their love and support throughout this long journey, as well as Ford and Sons for their respectful services.