Christopher L. Gadsden
June 26, 1966 – June 26, 2020
Chris was a former Creighton University baseball player and a 20-year coach of UNO’s baseball team. He is survived by his wife Amy; sons: Adam, Thomas, and Gus; parents, Tom and Carleen Gadsden; mother-in-law, Rebecca Reider; many other loving relatives and friends.
VISITATION: Tuesday, June 30th from 4pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, July 1st at 10am at the West Center Chapel. INTERMENT: Friday, July 2nd, 11am, Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish, South Dakota. Memorials are suggested to Fellowship of Christian Athletes or UNO baseball stadium.
For anyone unable to attend, the service will be live streamed.
To view a live broadcast of the Funeral Service, go to our website and click the View Live Cast button on our homepage or click on Service Link below.
Funeral Service Link: https://boxcast.tv/view/christopher-gadsden-187342
76 Comments
We lost a Christian leader in the baseball community. Well done thou good and faithful servant.
I am so sorry to hear of Chris’ passing! – Prayers to his family.
We are praying for Amy and the boys as well as the rest of the family. We know Chris is with Jesus but I also know you are hurting beyond anything we can comprehend. 🙏🏻
Our deepest sympathy to the Gadsden’s on the loss of Chris.
The Burditt’s
Amy and family, we are so very sorry for your loss. Chris was a great man, father, friend and HS classmate, we will miss him. Prayers for you all.
Amy and family, I am so sorry for you loss. Chris was a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed by his class of 84 family.
Coach Gadsden. Thank you for playing a major role in my life both on and off the field. You are one of the most incredible human beings that I have ever had the privilege of being able to spend time with. You played such a huge role as a mentor for so many young men and led by example every day in the way you lived your life. It is an honor to have been able to play for you and learn from you and the other amazing coaches how to be a man. Condolences go out to your family, who I am sure that you gave everything every day for. We love you Gaddy and you will he missed by many.
Amy, I am so sorry for your terrible loss. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.
I am shocked and sorry to hear this. We were neighbors outside of Sturgis and played basketball together and had some good times. Seems like he passed way too early. God Bless!
I am so very sorry for your loss. Chris was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Amy and family, we are so sad to hear about Chris’ passing. We are sending you and the boys our thoughts, prayers, and love.
Carleen, I am so unbelievably sorry. I have no words.
I am so very sorry for your loss. He was a great person always smiling. My thought and prayer are with you.
Condolences to Amy, children and parents. You all are in my prayers.
I’ve been thinking about what to share, I know for Amy and the boys that Chris’s birthday was cut short by tragedy. Knowing Chris, I will bet it was HIS best birthday ever. Knowing He is in the presence of Jesus will hopefully give you all comfort. I am praying for you all.
Amy and family, I’m so sorry to hear about Chris’s passing. He truly was a wonderful person. I have such fond memories of him from school in Sturgis. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone and I will always cherish the memories of him as a teammate for the Scooper basketball team. I hope you and your sons can find peace and strength through this time.
One of the greatest men I have ever met. So sorry for your loss. Rest In Peace coach gaddy.
Coach Gaddy was one of the most impactful people i have ever met. Not once has he ever spoken negative on anything. I’m forever grateful that I was able to be around him these last couple weeks watching him do what he loved, and that was help spread the joy of baseball to others. He will forever be engraved in me in his spirt and mindset. Rest In Peace Gaddy.
Amy, We are so sorry to hear of Chris’s untimely passing – such a shock! We are praying for you! We love you!
I offer my condolences to Coach Gadsden’s family and friends. Coach was one of the most positive and caring guys I knew and we will work through this together.
So terribly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with Amy and the boys at this difficult time.
To the Gadsen family,
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family, Amy. Chris was an inspiration to many from the time he walked the SBHS halls to today from all I have heard and read. Our heartfelt sympathy to you all.
Amy, we’re sending thoughts and prayers for your family.
Coach Gaddy always made an effort to have a relationship with anyone he met, and it didn’t matter who it was. It was a privilege to know a man so genuine, impactful, and positive. Love you, coach
Evan and my thoughts and prayers are with you Amy, Adam, Thomas, Gus, and the rest of the family. Thank you for sharing Coach Gaddy with us over the years. He made such a difference in so many people’s lives and his legacy will live on in his boys and all of the ballplayers he impacted. As Evan has always said, “there’s no one like Gaddy”. Love to all of you.
Gaddy was one of the best human beings I ever meet and I was blessed to have him as a friend. I will miss our chats about baseball, family and life. They meant more than he could have every known. Amy, Adam, Thomas and Gus, Tom and Carleen I understand the sadness you must be enduring but please remember besides being a great son, husband and father he was also a great friend to so many and that kindness and compassion he always showed lives a little in all of us just from knowing him. Rest in peace my friend.
As bad as it hurts, we can only believe that God knows best.
Our Deepest sympathies to Amy and the Gadsden family..
The Aga’s
My 4 years playing for Gaddy were some of the best years of my life. Sure I was a better baseball player because of Gaddy. But, more than that, I am a better person for having known him. Very grateful for everything he has done for me and thousands of other young men. He is sorely missed. I will miss his endless positivity and his genuine friendship.
I am deeply saddened at the passing of my friend and a wonderful man, Chris Gadsden, but rejoicing with the knowledge that he is seated at the feet of his Savior Jesus Christ. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and pray that the Lord strengthens and comforts you all during this difficult time.
Gadsden family
My sympathies to Amy and family. The best 300 M hurdle buddy anyone could ask for. A friend and mentor to all he met. Will be very missed.
Lora
Dear Amy, What heartache! What a great guy! I was just getting to know him a little. He wasn’t one of the fast talkers at our table on Friday mornings, like me. He was so serene, so deep, so considerate. Deepest sympathies to you and the family.
David
Coach you will never know the profound impact you’ve had on so many of your former players lives. You were not just a coach of ball but a coach of life. I am a better person and father for having played for you. To your family I understand the devastation you are going through but know everyone that was ever touched by coach is better because of it. We are all here for you should you ever need us.
I played at Creighton with Gaddy. He was a year ahead of me and was a big influence on me. Great guy who worked harder than anyone on the team. Always willing to help both on and off the field. He helped me with some classwork when I was struggling as a freshman and I have never forgotten that he went out of his way to help when he didn’t have to, but that was the kind of guy he was. He’s the second Bluejay team mate we have lost and both of them were great men. The mark of a successful life lived is how a person impacts others and based on the comments above and how Gaddy handled himself, he was a giant! His legacy will go on well past his days with all of us. Condolences to his family and RIP Gaddy – you were one of the best!
Amy, words fail to express my sorrow for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.
My deepest condolences to Amy and the Gadsden family. I will always remember how good I felt after talking to Gaddy. Positive, loved, and always great perspective. We are all much better people for having known him and blessed to have had him in our lives. Well done Gaddy and Rest in Peace my friend.
Marty
The loss of Chris will be felt for lifetimes. There are no words that soften that type of grief.
Chris was such an amazing soul. A steady bright beacon of light for so many ships out at sea. A friend to so many who at times felt friendless, a father-figure to so many that at times felt fatherless. He saw the good in everyone and guided them to reach their potential on the field and in life. He was simply a good man.
I never had the opportunity to live near my cousin, but I always felt his presence and the impact he was having on this earth.
Godspeed, Chris, Godspeed.
Sending love and compassion to Amy, Carleen, Uncle Tom, Adam, Thomas and Gus, and all the others whose hearts are tender beyond words.What a gift to know him and to love him. ❤️
My sincere condolences to Amy and your family. Chris was a great person and he will truly be missed. All my love!
Amy, ,Adam, Thomas and Gus. I’m so saddened at the sudden passing of Chris. He stood out as a truly genuine and nice person who always gave his heart to everything and everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate through this extremely difficult time. God bless you all.
I am so deeply sorry for you loss. Chris was one of the finest people that I have had the honor to know. Amy and the Gadsden’s family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Gadsden family. Gaddy coached our son Chris for two years. Those were the best years of our family’s baseball life. Gaddy was a great coach. He was just an all around great guy who was always positive and cared for all his players. We are blessed to have crossed paths with him.
We will cherish the memories.
What a shock to hear about Chris. In the few years that we knew Chris he made such an impression of a kind and gentle soul. Our hearts and prayers go out to Amy and the boys. ❤️
Amy we are thinking of you and the boys at this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss . May God comfort you and strengthen you with beautiful memories of Chris .God Bless each of you, The Fritton Family
I am deeply saddened to hear about Chris passing. Thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Amy & family, my prayers continue to be with your family.
So sorry for your loss, Chris was such a great person, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Amy and family,
We will all greatly miss Chris. He will forever be in the hearts of the SBHS class of 1984. Chris was a born leader, gifted athlete, and the most humble person I have ever known. Because of his athleticism, we got to cheer for our Scoopers in a football game in the dome and go to two state basketball tournaments. A popular song in the early 80’s was “Let’s hear it for the boy”. I can remember Amy singing that song. Chris always put others first. I’m so happy he stopped in at SBHS in the last year to see me and others who are there. He asked a lot of questions about me, but didn’t go into all of the amazing things he has accomplished. That was just the kind of guy he was. I walk by his picture every day on the “Hall of Fame” wall. He was all that, and so so much more.
Disbelief, shock, sorrow, anger. and back to sorrow. Job 2:3 comes to mind. The LORD said to the Adversary, “Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil. He still keeps his integrity; so you have incited Me against him to destroy him for no good reason.” May God meet you where you are, and you find Him sufficient.
My heart is broken. I am so sorry this has happened. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Amy. So many wonderful memories of all of us.
Dear Amy,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt condolences go out to you and all of your family. Chris was an amazing role model, with a gentle and sweet spirit. His kindness as a high school upperclassman was greatly appreciated. I grieve with you at this time. May God grant you His strength and comfort right now.
Tom and Carleen, so sorry to hear about Chris. Its been a long time since I have seen him, but I will always remember all the good times we had in the neighborhood growing up. Gone way too soon.
Prayers for peace to Amy and the boys during this difficult time. So very sorry to hear the news of Chris’s sudden passing. May your memories bring comfort in times of sadness .
Amy, my deepest sympathy to you and your family during this time of grief.
Amy:
So sorry to hear the sudden and tragic news of Chris’ passing. My heart goes out you and your family.
Amy and Family,
You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. Every person on the teams that Chris played on and coached will tell you what a special person he was. He taught lives lessons through baseball. Even though we never shared the same dugout he was a great example as a husband, father, and human to learn from since we first meet in 2000. Thank You for sharing this special man with us. His lessons will always be shared and celebrated.
437-Love You Brother
To Tom and Carleen and all of Chris’s family, I want to send my sympathy on such a profound loss.
I am so sorry.
Amy and Family,
We are heartbroken at this sad news. Our family was truly blessed to have Chris in our lives not only as a coach but as someone who was always willing to extend a hand to those in need. A true example of a good man. He will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you and our baseball memories will always bring a smile to our faces. God Speed
Patty
So very sorry for the loss of Chris. Prayers to Amy and the whole Family.
Amy, May the memories in your heart help to ease some of the pain. With deepest sympathy to you and the boys. Sandi
Coach Gadsden recruited and then coached our son, Max, at UNO. Even though Max only played there one year, we remember Coach Gadsden’s kindness, humility, and grace. He was forthright, approachable, and a consummate professional — indeed a very good man. We are saddened by his passing and send our condolences.
Amy, we are keeping you & the boys in our prayers!
To Amy, the Boys,Family,and friends, so sorry and saddened by news of Chris passing. Words can’t express the deep pain and sorrow of your loss. I was proud to know and help coach with Chris for a short time at UNO. He is one of the finest men there are and blessed so many by his Christ-like character and witness. He will be greatly missed by so many.
I feel so blessed to have known Chris. We had great times in Athens, Ohio as the class of 93. He will be missed.
I’m so sorry – my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Amy and Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God has a great double play partner in heaven with him. One of the nicest people ever found on this earth. God Bless.
Tom, Carleen & Amy Gadsden I’m so saddened by your loss I cannot stop thinking about all the great childhood memories I have with Chris from baseball . Fishing playing basketball & walking to school . He was & always will be a special person in my life . God Bless all of you . Love The Enstad’s .
We loved knowing Chris and Amy in Athens, OH and keeping up through the years. Our prayers are with you.
Gadsden family… So sorry for your loss…! Just got to know Coach this last year through FCA… Being a couple of the older fella’s on staff we hung out together at FCA events 🙂 I was amazed at his relentless servant work ethic… Cleaning up after leadership camp he was nonstop. Just kept his mouth shut and worked. It was evident he was a kind and faithful servant!! He sent me a couple emails of encouragement that I will keep Blessed and thankful that I got to know him. Look forward to seeing him again.
My deepest condolences to Amy and the Gadsden family. Chris truly was the best of us from the SBHS class of ‘84, yet unassuming and friendly to all who had the pleasure to know him.
Amy, Adam, Thomas, Gus and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Sending you positive thoughts and healing prayers. Gus, it was easy to see how proud your Dad was of you at football games! We’ll miss seeing him!
With Deepest Sympathy,
The Lillig Family
If we all had just a small slice of what Gaddy had so much of…our world would truly be a better place. As a former teammate, Gaddy was the guy who taught all of us talented young, immature teammates on what hard work will do for a player and mostly for a team! He was the ultimate captain who played and coached for the “love of the game,” and it was so contagious and allowed all of to enjoy our time on the diamond so.much more when Gaddy was on the field. Our Good Lord must have needed a strong Christian man, and a real warrior, as he took home a great one to know doubt be in Heaven leading God’s army! God’s Blessings and my heart pours out to Amy and the kids!
Amy, Adam, Thomas, and Gus – May peace and love surround you during this difficult time.
Amy I am so sorry for your loss. Chris was truly one of the most special people I have known. He always made me a better person and knew how to say what I needed to hear. Thank you for coming with him to Athens and sharing him with us!
Amy I am so sorry for your loss. Chris was one of the most special people I knew. He always knew the right thing to say and how to say what I needed to hear. Thank you for coming with him to Athens and sharing him with us.
Carleen, Tom and the entire Gadsden family. We were shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Chris. By the looks of all the tributes, he definitely touched many lives and served as a role model in shaping the destinies of many a young man and woman. For whatever comfort it may bring, know that we are thinking of you in this time of sorrow.
Carleen and Tom. Chris took a green coach just out of college and made me look like I knew what I was doing. I so enjoyed coaching him and realized Chris was a gem of an athlete as a 7th grader. You did an outstanding job of raising Chris. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Chris and Amy attended the church I pastored in Sturgis, South Dakota in Chris’ high school years. I never saw a high school athlete like him. Star football, basketball, baseball player. Both of them were outstanding Christians. They commanded everyone’s respect. I an shocked at his sudden, snd too soon passing. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. May His peace be on Amy and the boys.
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