Chet Rodgers passed away after a head injury playing flag football in Provo, Utah.





June 01, 1996

Chet at 14 and a freshman

Chet was voted Freshman homecoming sweetheart.Chet enjoyed attending a church youth program in the summers called, "Especially For Youth". Above he is pictured with his sister, Joy, at his first EFY.Chet with his family in the north Georgia mountains. This is one of the first times Chet touched snow.
"I have often wondered how I will explain to my future children and husband about this wonderful person whose example and sincere love for others helped me decide to follow in his footsteps and truly show charity to everyone. I remember the last phone call that I had with my brother, Chet. I had a soccer game one Saturday, and I scored a couple of goals. I was so excited, and I wanted to call him right away. I called Chet in Utah, and I remember his sweet voice encouraging me to keep trying hard in soccer and especially in school. We had a bet to see who would do better in school that semester. I obviously said with complete confidence that I would get straight A's, and then he intimidated me by telling me that he had straight A's so far! I remember working really hard that semester so that I would win. I don't remember my grades exactly, but I remember that I have tried hard to get good grades especially after I saw that it was so important to Chet.
Chet always took care of me. I broke my nose in the church gym, and he was the first one there to calm me down and comfort me while he helped me wash off all of the blood. Chet didn't care that he had to stop playing basketball with his friends. Sometimes I would hang out with his friends...and he always included me in a trip to get ice cream or a sports event. I always felt like he was proud to have me as a sister (even when boys his age would never kiss their younger sister in public or think it cool to have her around). He took his role as a big brother seriously, and I know that he will be an amazing father to some very special children. I just wanted to share some of my feelings and some anecdotes about my older brother, Chet."
--Ashley Rodgers
Chet with friends and the Bacheller family enjoying a friendly game of paintball. Chet with his family at older brother, Josh's, wedding to Candice in Salt Lake City, Utah.Chet meeting Laura's husband, Barry, for the first time.Chet with his family at older sister, Laura's, wedding to Barry in Orlando, Florida.Laura and Barry asked siblings, Chet and Joy, to sing at their wedding reception the song, "Time After Time." Chet with his friend, Adam.
"I don't exactly know how to explain how I felt about Chet. I knew him for a couple of years, yet, I would talk about him on the LDS mission as though he were one of my closest friends. When people would ask me what my plans were after the mission, I would let them know that my friends, Mike and Chet, and I were planning on getting an apartment in Utah together while we went to school.
He was a few years younger than me, but he was so much older in his maturity and clear understanding of Gospel principals. He just always seemed to "get" it... I mean with everything. He was always a step ahead, ready to lead or follow, whichever was required of him. His smile was disarming, and his charm was overwhelming. His presence commanded attention in any room, though he never asked for it. He was good, and a good boy. If I had to use one word to define Chet, I would not be able to do it, because there are too many words which define him. But several include: Magnificent, Amazing, Humble, Incredible, Unreal, Fantastic, Genuine, Illuminating, Inspiring.
The most amazing and personal thing to me about Chet is that if I had to describe him to someone I could use all of the characteristics of Jesus Christ, and they would be the same. He was the very source of the Light of Christ. A friend and I once went to a Kenneth Cope concert. After the concert, we stood around and waited to meet and talk with Kenneth Cope. He shook my friend's hand, and as they shook hands Kenneth whispered something into my friends ear, "You have the light of Christ in your eyes. Keep it there!" Every time I think of that experience, I wonder if I have the light of Christ in my eyes. Chet always did.
When I grow up, I wanna be like Chet! (I have a lot of growing up to do.) Chet was four years younger than me, yet I feel like I need to grow to be like him. I am always searching for the Maxim in my life, the motto by which I want to live. Two of my favorites, fit Chet to the "T":"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries, and you rejoice,"..."Live life so that those who do not know God yet know you will want to know Him...BECAUSE they know You."
There are few people I have personally met who I feel have a quick place ready beside God. Chet is one of them. I always keep a list of the top 5 most influential people in my life. Chet is on this list. The other four are substantially older, from Seminary teachers to college professors. Chet was influential, without ever trying to be. My life is better, because Chet was a part of it."
---Adam Walton
Chet with his grandma Pucky.Chet with his friend, Joe, after performing in their high school musical, Guys and Dolls.Chet earned his Eagle Scout award through the Boy Scouts program. Above he is pictured with friends, Craig, Mike, and cousin Ben.

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