Cody Shay Sandoval

It is with profound sorrow that we mourn the loss of Cody Shay Sandoval, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the age of 39. His absence leaves a void that cannot be filled, and all who knew and loved him are forever changed.

Born April 22, 1986, in Rawlins, Wyoming, to Jesse and Julie Sandoval, Cody graduated from Cheyenne Central High School in 2004 and built a life defined by devotion, craftsmanship, and love.

Cody was loyal and protective of those he held dear. He was dependable, someone you could always count on. Warm-hearted and empathetic, he was the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. His smile could light up a room, and his presence reminded people what it means to be fully human; messy and generous, complex and fiercely devoted to those he loved.

His work ethic was unmatched, beginning at age 12 with a paper route where his character was already on full display. If he knew patrons on his route were elderly, he'd place their papers where they could easily reach them, a small kindness that spoke volumes about the man he would become.

His girls were his entire world. His life partner, Kaycee Lynn Yetter, and their two beautiful daughters—ShayLynn Irene-Marie and Makiyah Rose—were the center of everything he did. He was always striving to better their lives, and his role as a family man was what he treasured most.

Cody remained a lifelong, unapologetic fan of “America’s football team”, the Dallas Cowboys. His best friend and loyal companion, Cooper the blue heeler, was always by his side.

He was not just a skilled craftsman but possessed a true gift for carpentry, honed working alongside his father Jesse. While he learned the trade from his dad, his mastery was something that couldn't be taught—it was innate. His patience and generosity made him an incredible teacher, always taking time to share his gifts with others on any jobsite. In recent years, Cody found deep joy and purpose in custom projects where his creativity could shine.

Cody's capacity to love so deeply meant he often carried sadness in equal measure. He never fully recovered from the loss of his beloved sister, Brittany Marie Sandoval, who passed 16 years ago at just 26. The weight of that grief stayed with him, even as he poured his love into those around him.

We couldn’t know that the hours of his last working day would be spent on what would be his final project; a staircase crafted with the signature precision that defined his life’s work. In our deepest moments of sorrow, we find a glimmer of peace imagining Cody's sacred reunion with his sister Brittany at the top of that masterfully crafted stairway to heaven—along with his grandparents Oscar and Doris Paulsrud and Jesse Sandoval Sr., and his cousins, Stacy Bohl, Josh Fritz, Jeremy Larson, and Ginger Sandoval.

Cody's unceasing example of love, loyalty, and service will carry on through his family: his partner and girls; his parents; his siblings JJ (Liz) Sandoval, Sonya King, and Pamela Sandoval; Granny Lorraine; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and countless friends whose lives he shaped with his generous heart. We are all better for having known him and wish desperately that he was still with us.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please know you are not alone. Reach out to Wyoming's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. More resources are available at health.wyo.gov/988.

Services

A viewing will be held Monday, January 12th from 12pm to 4pm at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes, 1900 E 19th St, Cheyenne, WY 82001.

A celebration of Cody's life will be held Tuesday, January 13th at 10am at the Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel, immediately followed by a reception at The Gathering Place.