Chase Matthew Gaddy, age 19, of Dallas, Texas died on February 23, 2011 in Sherman, Texas. Chase was born on October 9, 1991 in Dallas to parents Sharon Ashmore and Brian Gaddy. Chase lived more in his nineteen years than most people do in a lifetime. As a young boy, Chase sought out and chose his Catholic faith and lived it every day of his life. Chase was loved and admired by many, and as importantly, loved many and openly showed that love to others. Chase was a graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, where he was known above all to “Bleed Black” and was a proud member of the Class of 2010. Chase excelled in athletics, and at Bishop Lynch he performed at the highest levels in football, diving, shotput and discus, and powerlifting. Notably, as a sophomore, Chase won the TAPPS State Championship in diving, and in his senior year he earned the Hustle Award for varsity football. Chase competed hard on every single tackle, dive, throw, and lift, and in every sport he was a leader and valued friend and teammate. In addition to being a strong student-athlete, Chase impressed many with his entrepreneurial drive and spirit. He started mowing lawns in grade school and grew his business into the highly successful Gaddy Landscaping with dozens of clients. In 2008, he was recognized with the TCU Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award. At the time of his death in a tragic traffic accident, Chase was a freshman at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where in a short period of time he became a vibrant part of the campus community by making good friends in Baker Hall and competing on the school’s diving team. Chase is survived by his parents; grandmothers Marion K. Ashmore and Phyllis T. Gaddy; siblings David Bennett, R.T. Bennett, and Mary Catherine Bennett; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Chase will be greatly missed by everyone who came to know this young man full of integrity and promise. Visitation will take place at 6 pm, Sunday, February 27 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be said at 1 pm, Monday February 28 at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the scholarships funds of Bishop Lynch High School or Austin College.
