Chad Matthew Harris

Chad Mathew Harris, age 35, passed away unexpectedly on February 13, 2025, at his home in Cañon City, CO, due to a sudden heart failure. Chad was born July 23, 1989, in Miami, FL to John and Linda Harris. He attended Harrison Elementary School in Cañon City, Cañon City Middle School for 7th grade, Eagle View Middle School in Colorado Springs for 8th grade, and in 2008 he graduated from Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs. He then went on to attend Western State College in Gunnison, CO for his freshman year and then transferred to Oregon State University in Bend, OR where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Leadership. Chad worked many years as a server at Applebee’s in Bend, OR; Wings and Rings in Minot, ND; and Chili’s in Cañon City. For the past 9 years, Chad has worked at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park as the Admissions Manager. He loved his job and enjoyed his “gorge family” that he worked with daily.

Chad loved the Lord with all his heart. He had a strong devotional life and loved reading his Bible every morning before work. In college, Chad led a Bible study at a homeless shelter in Bend, OR. He had such a loving and compassionate heart. Family was very important to Chad. He loved getting together for family gatherings, playing games with each other, and making time for his nieces and nephews. Chad also loved getting together with friends. He had a friend group where they frequently got together to share a meal, play games, and hang out together. Chad’s dog, Durango, was his best bud. He enjoyed playing fetch and taking Durango on his adventures. Chad had many hobbies and things he liked that started at a young age. As a little boy, Chad loved to play soccer, and he was good at it. In high school, Chad was a member of the Air Academy High School Marching Band where he played in the drumline and eventually became the drumline captain his senior year. Chad’s love for the outdoors grew quickly and he began asking for camping and outdoor gear for Christmas and birthday gifts. He accumulated quite a collection. His love for the outdoors grew so much that he got his degree in Outdoor Leadership. While in college he enjoyed some amazing adventures like snowshoeing, snow camping, hiking, rock climbing, repelling and so much more. Movies were one thing Chad loved. Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Batman, Marvel, DC Comics, and Ninja Turtles just to name a few. He also loved to collect guns and practice shooting at the range. His collection included an AR 15, a genuine WW2 rifle, and a Limited-Edition Ruger 357 handgun which he recently purchased. Chad’s motto, which he had engraved on a gun case, was “God, Family & Guns. Live Free or Die.”

Chad is survived by his parents, John and Linda Harris of Severance, CO; his sister Alisha Cheney, her husband Rev. Robert Cheney, and their 3 children, Ayden, Archer, and Addison of Colorado Springs, CO; and by his brother Brandon Harris and his wife Jeanne Harris of Rockvale, CO.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 am, at the Vineyard Church, 245 S. Raynolds Ave., Cañon City, CO, 81212. We would love for family and friends of Chad to join us as we remember and celebrate the life he lived. There will be a reception to follow for all who attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Chad’s name to “Of Mountains and Men.” This ministry’s mission is to implement Christian-based wilderness programs through which teenage boys advance on their journey in becoming capable, Christ-centered men. Please put “Chad Harris Donation” in the memo line. To Donate Click Here

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