Cory Abbott

With profound love and deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Cory LeRoy Abbott, of Layton, Utah. Husband, loving father, grandfather and true friend to many. He passed away Tuesday, the 29th of April 2025. The viewing will be held Wednesday May 7, 2025 from 12:00-1:30pm. Funeral services will be held at 2pm. Location for both viewing and funeral services will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 2160 W Gordon Avenue in Layton. Burial will be held at the Clinton Cemetery. 

Cory was surrounded by his loving wife Tara Abbott and family at the time of his passing. Cory passed away at Davis Hospital from complications of Kidney and Heart failure. Cory was born to Jill and Leroy Abbott on the June 24, 1966. He is preceded in death by his mother Jill Atha Abbott. He is survived by: his father LeRoy Abbott; his sister Kim Abbott and his sister Michelle Abbott his son Tyler Abbott and his wife Aerika and their children Lacey and Andrew; and his son Trenton Abbott and his wife Nichole. 

Cory was a loving and compassionate son, brother, father and grandfather. He was very proud of Tyler and Trenton and how they have developed their talents and skills. He loved whenever he was able to be with his grandkids - Lacey and Andrew. He had so much fun shopping for them at Christmas time and would always come out of the store with his arms overflowing with gifts. His Dad LeRoy was a true source of strength for us after Cory’s stroke two years ago. He made sure Cory could get to all of his therapies 2-4 times a week and come all the way from West Valley to get him there. Cory frequently expressed his appreciation for all he did to help him. Cory loved his sisters and did his best also to protect them. 

Cory was a loving husband as well as a true gentleman. Tara and Cory shared many fun times together. One of their favorite memories was when they were canoeing in Island Park for the first time. Shortly after getting into the canoe on that cold morning in May the canoe tipped over and they found themselves, alone in Island Park River, dripping wet with what felt like the beginnings of hypothermia. Both were mad at the other and blamed the other for making the canoe tip (but laughing too). Cory decided to use his lighter to start a fire on the bank of the river. Tara began to panic because he was bound and determined to get warm whether or not that meant he started all of Island Park on fire or not! Fortunately, he got the fire started and their ride came for them and they made it safely home.

 Another favorite memory they shared was when they were first dating. Tara was waiting for Cory to drive up to Idaho from SLC. He was very late this day and she thought this might mean he really wasn’t interested in her. However, Cory did arrive eventually. However, Tara (angry) told him just to go home when he got there. She did not see the plate of sugar cookies he was holding to give her. To Tara’s surprise, all of a sudden something flew by her head! He had thrown one of the cookies he made at her, just barely missing her! It all happened so fast she didn’t even know what it was. Little did she know, this beautiful man wanted to surprise her so he made her sugar cookies and it was part of the reason he was late. Needless to say, that was all Tara needed to know about him - he had her heart and had it FOREVER!

Cory had many health issues the last five years of his life. At that time it felt like one health issue after another (open heart surgery, failed kidney transplant, hemorrhagic stroke the need to start dialysis and a heart attack). After Cory’s heart attack in California 6 years ago, he begged the doctors there to let him go home to Utah but they didn’t want to send him home that soon as they thought he may need additional heart stents. Cory thought if he walked the halls of the medical unit, it would convince the doctors to let him go home. So, together Tara and Cory, holding hands walked as many times around the unit as they could. As they did they passed a man walking the halls. When he walked by he made an odd comment. He said, “I suppose you guys met ONLINE?!” and walked away. Tara and Cory looked at each other and laughed. What an odd thing to say but it was funny because, that was indeed where they met. 

Cory and Tara shared many outdoor adventures, exploring new places and spending time with their puppy Dylan. Dylan became Cory’s shadow. Wherever Cory was, you would find Dylan. If Dylan had to go outside he would run frantically back in the house searching every room for his Dad. Cory was the best Dad to Dylan! He even careful hand selected fresh peas every night for him at bedtime. Dylan was there through many of Cory's surgeries and health issues when he didn’t feel good and often there when Tara couldn’t be. Dylan was very loyal to Cory and knew how to bring a smile to his face. 

Cory worked for Delta Airlines the last 35 years in various positions (reservations, ramp, gates and most recently the ticket counter). He preferred the early morning shift at the ticket counter which required he often get up at 2:30am in the morning to be in Salt Lake by 4am. Even though his health was declining during this time, he managed to do his dialysis and then get 3-4 hours sleep and get up and go to work at 4 am. He was always early and on time. He believed in being on time, in giving an honest days work for an honest days pay, being kind to customers and employees and he took pride in his work ethic. Cory had many close friends at Delta whom supported him through many of his health issues and time off due to health issues. His supervisors and co-workers were often not just a supervisor or a co- worker but rather very good friends. The response from his supervisors, co-workers, family and friends after his stroke two years ago made a lasting imprint on his heart that will never be forgotten. 

Cory also worked as a Deputy Sherriff for Salt Lake County before working at Delta. He did this for 5 years. When Cory talked about that time he would comment in disbelief, “we had nothing…no tasers just an old revolver to protect ourselves”. He often spoke about the night he and another officer pulled a person over for speeding. As Cory approached the driver side, the person pulled a gun on him. However, his partner was on the passenger side prepared to do anything he had to. His partner saved his life that night and he will never forget that.

One of Cory’s true loves while on earth was being outside and enjoying the great outdoors. Whether it was fly fishing, hunting, or camping, he loved it all. He loved the night sky and would often express how he felt people don’t look up enough - there is so much that goes unnoticed in the sky. He felt there was so much to see that we don’t appreciate. Cory loved listening to stories about Bigfoot/Sasquatch and would fall asleep to them every night religiously. 

Cory was the kind of person you absolutely loved being around. The only way he spoke was from his heart and always sincere. He was authentic and true. There was nothing fake about him. You always knew how he truly felt. He made you feel important and loved. 

Goodbye for now my sweetheart - my best friend and husband. I will miss you every day!! Until we meet again - I will be looking up to the heavens and I pray I find you!!!

In Lieu of flowers contributions could be made to the Kidney or Heart Foundations.

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