Caleb Austin Chaney, 21, of Portland metro area, loving son, brother, grandson, and friend entered into his eternal resting place on March 16, 2024.
Caleb was born on March 10, 2003 in Washington Court House, Ohio to Chris and Janet Chaney. He graduated high school from Aloha High School in 2021. He developed an excellent work ethic at a young age by maintaining a job throughout his high school years. At the time of his passing, he worked for UPS for three years and supplemented with a career with Amazon. He was looking forward to becoming a full-time driver with UPS since his recent birthday and turning 21.
As an adolescent, he enjoyed playing baseball and gaming. His recent hobbies included camping, cars, and gaming with his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family. His love for his mom was unlike any other. From an early age, he would not let her too far from his sight. He was a true mama's boy who never hesitated to go straight to his mom when he was hurt, sick, or scared. Janet would ask him, "Caleb, whose boy are you?" and he would reply "Lulu's boy" and then quickly change it to "Mom's boy!" Caleb was an animal lover by heart but was especially close to Lucy (Lulu), Jagger and Gizmo. He was often teased about his comment of wanting Janet's foot when she died after she had gotten her first tattoo. Caleb chose his opponent well by choosing Janet when playing Mario Brothers because he knew he could always win by throwing her Luigi off of the cliff. Janet remembers writing a love note on the back of a picture for 2nd grader Caleb to read because his teacher notified Janet that he wouldn't eat lunch or play at recess because he missed his mom. Caleb even held onto a note Janet wrote him in 6th grade at outdoor school. He was often referred to as a gentle giant. His dad holds fondly the memories of playing paintball, experiences of laughing, crying, and being silly, and Caleb always getting his way when he wanted to play on his Grandma Barbara's computer. Caleb and Chris shared very similar personalities in the sense of not openly communicating their feelings, so when they said "I love you", it was said with intention. His brother, Shawn, remembers having a great bond over games, music, and everything. Caleb was Shawn's best friend. Shawn will cherish those memories and honor Caleb by one day telling his own children about their uncle. Shawn hopes his brother is well and sends his love from his big brother. His sister, Ashley, remembers Caleb being a protective big brother, who would be right by Ashley's side when any guy would hurt her, make her cry, or upset her. He would stop anything he was doing to be there including egging a guy's house because he stole something from Ashley. Caleb was always supportive of Ashley and he was her rock. He would work extra shifts to take Ashley on a brother-sister day at the beach. One of these times, they pedaled a large swan in the lake. He always made time to get food and Dutch Brothers. It is a testament to his wholeness by the number of people who have reached out with admiration and thankfulness of just knowing Caleb and how he has truly made an impact on all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving mother Janet Chaney (Ryan) and father Chris Chaney; his grandmothers Tonya Jett and Donita Chaney; his grandfathers Al Stoltz and George Chaney; his brother Shawn Jett and sister Ashley Chaney; his uncles Jeff Chaney and Anthony Jett; his aunt Nikki Chaney; and eight cousins.
He is preceded in death by all of his great-grandparents, his grandfather Michael E. Jett and uncle Michael L. Jett.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 29th, at 10:00 a.m. at Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel in Woodburn, Oregon. The family is requesting a private burial at his final resting place at Fir Lawn Memorial Park in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Pallbearers for the service are Chris Chaney, Shawn Jett, Ethan Ly, Isaac Smirke, Al Stoltz, and Ryan Butler. Honorary pallbearers are Jarod Flores and Jeff Chaney.
The family asks flowers be sent to Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel in Woodburn, Oregon.