Jacob "Jake" Attebery

Munising, MI / Weiser, ID

Jacob Bradley Attebery, age 40, died unexpectedly, Saturday, April 18, 2026 at his home in Munising, MI. He was born on May 7, 1985 in Weiser, ID to Brad and Beverly (Wheeler) Attebery. Jake’s love for the outdoors started at a young age. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and getting pulled behind the ski boat. Jake worked with his dad on vehicles and would race his dad’s mini-stock car at the dirt oval track near their home. They also rebuilt a 1968 lime green VW bus. Jake would drive his bus around with his long hair and aviator sunglasses looking like someone from a different era. Jake wrestled for the Weiser Wolverines and graduated from Weiser High School in 2003.

He immediately enlisted in the United States Army and completed One Station Unit Training in Fort Benning, GA, as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course, he completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program and was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, as a rifleman. In 2005, he was selected for the Headquarters Company Sniper Platoon, where he progressed from Sniper to Sniper Squad Leader. During his six years of service, Jake deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Basic Airborne Course, Sniper Course, SERE (High Risk), Warrior Leader Course, Jumpmaster, Marine Corps Mountain Scout Sniper Course, and Special Operations Target Interdiction Course. His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and Parachutist Badge. Jake was highly respected by everyone he worked with in 3rd Ranger Battalion and was known for his leadership, his mentorship of younger Rangers, and his ability to outrun almost anyone. Jake was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on June 4, 2009.

When Jake returned home, he was ready to start a new adventure wherever he landed. He joined a hotshot firefighting crew based out of Vail, OR, where he met his dear friend Jared Jake and together were part of an elite wildland forest fire fighting team. Jake then followed his sense of adventure and spent time skiing in the mountains of Utah, raft guiding on Clear Creek in Colorado and parasail guiding in the Virgin Islands.

In the spring of 2011, his adventures took him back to Idaho Spring, CO and it was there Jake’s long sun-bleached hair and Caribbean tan caught the eye of his future wife Chelsey Bowen. Together they moved to Newport, OR where Jake spent many early mornings surfing, crabbing in the Newport Bay, and hiking through the coastal forests. They then moved to Corvallis, OR where their beloved dog, Roy, joined their family. Jake and Chelsey were married at Silver Falls State Park on September 14, 2015 surrounded by their amazing friends and family. Jake started school at Oregon State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry, earning cum laude. School wasn’t something Jake would have said he enjoyed, but he embraced the challenge of starting college as a 30-year-old freshman and found a real passion for the work in front of him. While in school he was a member of the Society of American Foresters where he enjoyed networking and was an ambassador for the school giving tours and helping recruit new students. Following school, Jake worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Salem, OR. In 2022, Jake took a position in Munising with the U.S. Forest Service as a silviculture forester, focusing on reforestation. Jake recently completed one of the hardest certifications in the Forest Service and became National Advanced Silviculture Program (NASP) certified. Jake loved his work and was passionate about the forests and how his imprint could help the growth of timber production in a sustainable way.

From the rapids of the Rockies, to the Caribbean Sea and waves of the Pacific, to Lake Superior, Jake loved the water. If he could surf, paddle board, kayak, raft, or cruise on his boat around Grand Island, Jake would be there. He loved the outdoors and had recently begun archery hunting, which gave him something new to master and an extra reason to be in the woods. A great passion of his was to be in the garden with his wife Chelsey and dog Roy. He always enjoyed cooking but recently had taken a more active role in creating dishes for his family. Jake had a sense of humor that made everyone laugh and feel welcome in his presence. He was known to have a meme or movie quote reference for every conversation. Jake was great at storytelling and his stories will be missed by all.

Nine months ago, Jake and Chelsey welcomed into the world their beautiful daughter Althea. Jake loved being a father and cared deeply for her. He loved to read to her every day and could not wait to share his outdoor passions with her as she grew up. Jake was a proud father and always eager to share the latest photos of Althea and her new discoveries to his co-workers, friends and family.

He is survived by his wife – Chelesy Attebery of Munising; daughter – Althea; parents – Brad and Beverly Attebery; brother – Josh Attebery; mother-in-law – Deb Vrooman, father-in-law – Gary Bowen; brothers and sisters-in-law –Kristy (Bill) Hawkins, Mike (Sarah) Bowen, Paul (Megan) Bowen, Dan (Nicole) Bowen, Jamie (Lance) McKenny, and Wes (Jessie) Hoeke; 13 beloved nieces and nephews, one great-niece and one great-nephew; and numerous cousins and friends. Jake was preceded in death by his grandparents – Earl and Betty Attebery and Edward and Madeline Wheeler.

Visitation will be on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. Jake’s services will begin at 3:00 p.m. with military honors rendered by the Alger County Veterans Council and Michigan Army National Guard and then will be followed by a service where family and friends will be able to share stories and memories of Jake. A celebration of life will be held in Weiser, ID at a later date.