Chris Paddock Obituary, Amarillo TX, In Loving Memory of Coach Chris Paddock

Chris Paddock Obituary, Death – On August 11, 2023, Christopher Russ Paddock, 48, of Amarillo, Texas, died and was reunited with his Lord and Saviour. Chris’s memorial ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Hillside Christian Church-West Campus, 6100 S. Soncy Rd, Amarillo, Texas, officiated by Alan Keister and Craig Albracht. The arrangements are being handled by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. The family has requested that you wear his favourite colour, blue, or your Team Paddock shirt.

Chris Paddock was born on October 5, 1974, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Max and Pamelia Paddock. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1993 and was selected a McDonald’s All-American basketball player that year. Chris continued his basketball career at the University of Colorado. He finished his college basketball career at the University of New Mexico Albuquerque, where he helped the club capture the Western Athletic Conference Championship. At the time, he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Chris subsequently went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Education from McMurray University in Abilene, as well as a Master of Education from Wayland Baptist University. Misty Dudley, Chris’s love, met him in Abilene, and they married on June 30, 2001 in Hereford, Texas. Their three beautiful children were Hadley Beth, Ethan Russ, and Hayden Russ. Chris spent his childhood fishing and hunting with his father, Max. This love of the outdoors continued into his adulthood, with family trips to the mountains. Chris had a lot of fun making his mother, Pam, laugh with different accents, jokes, and other shenanigans.

Chris was an enthusiastic member of his church’s youth group. He developed an interest in basketball at a young age. He was drawn to older competitors who could push him and help him progress. The game of basketball taught Chris a lot of life lessons. Chris has over ten years of experience as a coach at various levels. He began his coaching career at Fannin Middle School before moving on to Caprock High School as the boys’ basketball team’s Varsity Assistant and JV coach. Chris then became the head coach of the Caprock High School girls’ basketball team, where he built a strong programme and guided the Lady Longhorns to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. He finished his coaching career at Wayland Baptist University, where he also obtained a Master of Education and a Principal’s Certification.

Chris returned to Amarillo and began working at Travis Middle School. He worked as an assistant and associate principal at Palo Duro High School for ten years before taking over as principal at Sleepy Hollow Elementary. Chris stood an impressive 7 feet tall, with a heart to match. He found enormous joy in leading and mentoring young people, and he was able to form relationships with even the most challenging of pupils. His greatest gift was the ability to revitalise anybody he came into contact with. Chris saw the best in everyone and pushed them to go above and beyond their limits. However, Chris’ greatest coaching and teaching honour was being able to lead and watch his two children not just in life, but also in basketball. He liked coaching their club and Kids Inc. teams, working with his children individually, and watching them play the game he adored.

Chris attended Hillside Christian Church and led a small group for middle school boys. He was completely devoted to the Lord. Chris also participated in the March of Dimes in remembrance of his late son, Ethan Russ. He was a member of the Texas Masonic Lodge of Amarillo, following in the footsteps of his grandpa. Chris also performed with The Royals under the nickname Tall Pockets. He had a good time with this group. He mentored numerous young people and volunteered and coached for Kids Inc. In his spare time, he attended activities for both his own children and his many adored students.

Chris cherished his family beyond anything else. He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Chris and his family enjoyed hiking in the mountains. He loved to dance and had an incredible capacity to make others laugh and grin. He was a listening ear to his children. They enjoyed lengthy chats filled with knowledge and insight, and he continuously pushed them to think for themselves. When things got tough, he found a way to make them more bearable by finding humour in everything. He stressed to his wife and children the importance of teaching them to be optimistic in the face of life’s ups and downs, frequently quoting, “We have to prepare our kids for the path, not the path for our kids.” He also underlined the importance of cherishing connections, supporting others, and doing our best every day to make a difference in someone’s life. Chris worked hard to instill in his family the idea that it’s not about you or me, but about how we can serve others and share God’s love.

Chris talked about his faith and the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. Chris didn’t just say these things; he demonstrated them via his words, ideas, and actions. Even during Chris’s final five months on earth, when he was struggling for his life, this ministry was visible. Chris’ favourite nurse, Rachel, expressed thanks for the time she spent with him. He performed with grace and fearlessness, exhibiting his firm belief in the Lord. Chris fought a long and painful battle, but now he is healed and restored in Jesus.

Chris Paddock’s son, Ethan Russ Paddock, and his father, Max Paddock, predeceased him. Chris is survived by his wife of 22 years, Misty Paddock; their beautiful children, Hadley Beth and Hayden Russ Paddock; his mother Pamelia Paddock; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dan Dudley and Jan Dudley; his two brothers-in-law, Todd Dudley and wife Lauren, and Tim Dudley; his sister-in-law, Juanita Arzola; his niece and nephews, Sophie Dudley and Quinn and Eli Dudley; his cousins and uncle.

Contributions in memory of Stephen Paddock may be given to the Paddock Family account at Happy State Bank or to the Paddock Family account at GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/arqhx-paddock-family). Donations can also be made to the March of Dimes, a family-friendly organisation (marchofdimes.org).