Elijah Jon Cohrs was born December 2, 1999, and was baptized December 19, 1999. He went to Heaven on November 30, 2023. Eli lived with his family in Sweet Home, OR, until they relocated to Milwaukie, OR, in 2004. The family moved to Sandy in 2014 as Eli entered high school.
From the time Eli was a toddler, he was never without a football in his hand or under his arm. In middle school, Eli played football for Floyd Light Middle School. Since his family lived outside the school district, Eli entered Sandy High School knowing only his sister and his father, a teacher at SHS. Always inspirational and outgoing, Eli made many friends quickly in his new school community.
Over the course of his high school career, he gained confidence and purpose through athletics. Eli proudly wore number 77, anchoring the offensive line at center. He and his teammates-turned-brothers were instrumental in leading the Pioneers football team to the 5A state playoffs in 2018–something that hadn’t occurred in 25 years. He won all-league and all-state honors as an offensive lineman that year.
Eli also participated in Track and Field, Iron Man Club, Leadership Class, the Mr. Doernbecher Pageant, and was the Senior Class Vice President. He was chosen for the Boeing Tech Prep Internship and was voted one of the Top Ten Seniors.
After graduation, Eli attended Mount Hood and Central Oregon community colleges. Eli found peace and happiness in the outdoors, whether climbing and rappelling waterfalls, catching tuna in the Pacific Ocean or chasing elk in the Wallowa Mountains. He also thoroughly enjoyed online gaming with his besties and could be heard laughing with them at all hours of the night.
Elijah is survived by his parents, Jon and April, his sister, Hilary, and his rescue Husky, Nova. He was deeply loved by all of his extended family members in Oregon, Washington, California and Wisconsin. A celebration of life will be held at Sandy Funeral Home on Monday, December 18 at 11:00 am. Please join us afterwards for a catered lunch and to share happy memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Sandy High School (37400 Bell St., Sandy, OR 97055) and earmarked for the No Pioneer Left Behind Athletic Scholarship Fund in memory of Elijah Cohrs.
“We need so much more openness, transparency and understanding that it’s OK to talk about depression as an illness. It’s not a weakness. It’s not a moral shortcoming. It’s not something people brought on themselves.” – John F. Greden