Corey Tolle

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 12, at Faith Baptist Church for Corey Patrick Tolle of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Tolle, 62, died June 6, 2021 at Artesia General Hospital surrounded by his daughter, Chelsea VanBuskirk, his brother, Curtis Tolle and long term care giver, Jacob Lopez.

Pastor Michael Elliot will officiate at the services with burial to follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Al Gonzales, Jacob Lopez, Robert Chase, Richard Chase, Steve Gray, Jerry Brown, Arvin Kinnibrugh, Roy Crouch, Martin Green, Richard Price, Larry Whitehead and Nick VanBuskirk.

Corey was born March 19, 1959 in Artesia, the son of Ray Tolle and Carol (Flannery) Tolle.

Corey lived an extraordinary life that touched many more people than he could have possibly known. His light shined through to so many, with his humor, his positive attitude and also in the way he could unapologetically call you out!

Corey grew up in Artesia and quickly made a name for himself starting with all of the mischievous antics he got into with his childhood friends and brother. These antics formed bonds that bled into lifelong friendships that stood strong enough into today. An all around athlete, Corey strived in sports from grade school into college. He excelled in many different sports, including track, basketball, baseball, and most of all football. He was apart of the Artesia High School track team when they won their first ever state title in 1976, and won 3 State Football Championships each year he was in high school in '74, '75 and '76.

After graduating high school in 1977, Corey continued his football career by attending the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, now known as Colorado State College Pueblo, where he still holds a few wide receiving records. During the 1979 & 1980 season he was an All American football star with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

After graduating USC with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration in 1981, Corey came back to his home town in Artesia and began working for Marbob Energy Corporation. Corey was married to Traci Presley on February 18th 1984, together they had one daughter in September of 1987.

On July 1st 1988 Corey was injured in an accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. This led to Corey having to relocate to Denver, CO to attend a rehabilitation hospital that specialized in Spinal Cord Injuries. Although the prognosis from his accident had doctors saying he would not survive more than 5 years post accident, he was not one to be taken down lightly. Corey built up his strength and adjusted to his new life as a quadriplegic. He then began attending the Community College of Denver where he received not only Student of the Year, but also earned his Associates Degree in Applied Science with a certificate in Computer Programming for the Handicapped in May of 1990.

Corey strived to beat the odds by living well over that life expectancy. Together with his mom, Carol Tolle, Corey raised his daughter as a single father while working over 15 years as a Data Base Administrator for an Insurance company in Denver. He got to live long enough to see his daughter get married where he was able to roll her down the aisle, see her graduate college, and be at the births of all three of his grandchildren.

In 2008 Corey moved back to his beloved hometown in Artesia and began working for the Chase Foundation where he had continued to work up until the time of his death.

Corey was a very cherished member of his Bulldog community, there is a 'Corey Tolle Fighting Heart Award' that is earned by one of the football athletes each year that has overcome some kind of adversity that demonstrates a fighting spirit every day to better not only himself but everyone around him.

Corey loved to reminisce about all the good old days with his friends throughout his life, and always had a story to share. He was a die hard Denver Broncos fan, always had good music playing, an avid black jack player, a loving father, doting grandfather, reliable brother and one hell of a good friend. He was the one who went out of his way to help others and would unexpectedly do things for others that would truly change and touch their lives.

His wittiness and smart ass comebacks were always filled with love and laughter, he truly brightened a room just by being in it. Even in the midst of his hardships and on going health obstacles at the end, he continued to fight each and every day demonstrating what it truly means to live with true grit, integrity, and whole lot of heart. He is one that will never be forgotten and his memory will live on in the many, many people he touched throughout his life.

Corey was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Tolle, his father, Ray W. Tolle, his sister, Robin Jackson, his ex-wife Traci Presley, and many beloved friends.

He is survived by his Brother, Curtis Tolle and wife Debbie Tolle of Artesia, his daughter Chelsea & her Husband, Nick VanBuskirk, his three grandchildren, Kennedy, Leighton, and Holton, and his neices and nephews Stacy & Luis Lujan, Kim & Aldo Reyos, Kale & Elisabeth Jackson, and Mackenzie & Andy Lopez.