Chet at 16 and a junior

Chet with his family at younger sister, Meredith's baptism.Chet holding niece, Summer, next to his friend, Mike, and sister, Meredith.

"I haven't been able to fully share my life changing friendship story about Chet with my wife - that is until now. Being able to hear him speak to me and sing is such an awesome gift! It was such a great experience to put a voice and face to the stories of me and Chet: watching Happy Gilmore in the pool house - watching the gators play - playing ping-pong on the back deck - sitting at the piano and singing whatever music we had in front of us - macking on chicks from EFY - driving the leased Toyota Corolla like it was a sports car and never letting your parents think that we were reckless drivers - playing basketball at the church or at Craig's - playing the guitar - sitting in the hot tub or ruffing around in the pool - paintball wars during the holidays - going to the driving range and then golfing at West End. Those are cherished memories that I can instantly recall.

Its funny... I always remember Chet telling me that he looked up to me, but there was never a time when I didn't look up to HIM as an example. He ALWAYS had a way of putting me in a good mood and wanting to do what's right. I could come over and have the most negative feelings about something and Chet would come to the door and with a smile say - "MIKE!...How you doin' bud?" and give me a hug. I can hear him say it to me in my head right now. He'd listen to all the drama that was going on in my life but he wouldn't let it linger. He'd have some sport related story to tell me or something that's going on in drama and he'd be able to distract me every time. Chet also got me addicted to Publix brand Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream...it was classic for him to want mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Life goes on but memories stay with you. I sincerely am thankful for Chet and his family and the absolute priceless people that you all are!"
---Michael Dame

Chet paint balling with his family, cousins Jeremy and Ben, and friends Mike, Craig and the Thompson family,. Chet holding niece Summer at ward Christmas party.Chet with his junior prom date and friends.

Chet with his cousin, Ben, at Crescent Beach, Florida.

Chet at 15 and a sophomore

Chet with his friend, Julie.Chet with his younger sisters and friends floating down the Itchatucknee River in Florida.Chet singing and playing the piano with his friend, Mike.Chet was in the varsity Chamber Singers Choir at Buchholz High School. He took private singing lessons from Debbie. Above, he is seen performing at one of his voice recitals at the Thomas Center in Gainesville, Florida.Chet loved the University of Florida Gator football team. Above, he is with his cousin Nathan, uncle Chet, uncle Harry, dad Larry, and older brother, Josh, watching the 1996 gator football national championship game!

“I could tell you all that I'm ok and that my brother, Chet, is in a better place; but I'm not ok with him not being with me and selfishly feel that the better place for him is hanging out with me... watching Florida Football! I understand that Chet is doing his Father in Heaven's work on the other side, and I accept that. I just miss him so much that my chest hurts sometimes.

I think of all of the laughter I missed over the years that Chet has been gone. I think of all of the strength he would have brought me through the challenges of life. I think of how I'm going to fill the void in the lives of my children when Chet took his smile with him! How do you replace the amazing experiences your children would have had if their uncle were still here? I know how much Chet would have been able to teach them and how much they would have loved their uncle. My children watch videos of Chet, discussing how much they miss him and how wonderful and nice he seems. One day they will know.

I am grateful to all of you for sharing here. Thank you for your examples and inspiration. It warms my heart to hear how my brother, Chet, touched so many of your lives. I hope that I can emulate him.”
---Josh Rodgers

Chet with his family at older sister, Joy's, high school graduation.

Chet with his friend 's, Andy, Tyler, and Joe at EFY.

“The last time I was with Chet was during the summer before my mission. I was a counselor at the camp Especially For Youth (EFY) in Tampa, Florida on the USF campus, and Chet was there also.

Chet and I saw each other and talked a little, and then several of the young men in my group wanted to hang out with him and his group throughout the week. Chet had a magnetic personality and a great spirit about him. Anyone who met him for the first time could tell there was something special about him. Chet really had the light of Christ in his eyes. It didn’t hurt that he was very talented and a good athlete as well. (I could tell since we played on the same football team with the EFY kids during the conference.)

But more than that, Chet was such a good example and a great leader in his own right. His testimony was strong, and I admired him for the way he would reach out and include others in his circle. Chet was a remarkable young man. I remember and respect him in the same reverence that people in Gainesville talk about Tim Tebow. It was an honor to know Chet and the rest of his family.”
---N. Dean Sapp

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.