Monday afternoon the world lost Chance Tetrick, arguably the Ole Miss Rebels’ biggest fan. Chance was 11 when he passed after battling with Acute Lymphomblastic Leukemia (ALL) for more than 18 months.
Chance was first diagnosed on February 22, 2013, but just two days before his 11th birthday, he relapsed on March 28, 2014.
Chance proudly exemplified the “Fins Up” mentality throughout his fierce battle against ALL.
The Rebel defense adopted the Landshark and Fins Up mentality after former player Tony Fein threw the symbol up during a game against the Florida Gators after a defense stop. The team, including Coach Hugh Freeze often visited with Chance throughout treatment.
Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, Miss. published the following obituary:
Chance Randall Tetrick, 11, died Monday, August 4, 2014, at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. The funeral service will be Saturday, August 9, 2014, at 2:00 P.M. at Tad Smith Coliseum on the campus of the University of Mississippi with Rev. Robert Allen and Rev. Eric Hankins officiating. Visitation will be Friday, August 8, 2014, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Waller Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Oxford.
Born in Indianapolis, IN, Chance was a passionate Ole Miss Rebel Fan. He was a student at Della Davidson Elementary School in Oxford, MS and was a member of First Baptist Church where he participated in AWANA. An avid rock collector, Chance also enjoyed building with Legos, playing Minecraft and Roblox. Chance loved his family and was an amazing big brother to his little sister, Collins. He shared a close bond with his parents, whom he loved more than Ole Miss Football.
Survivors include his parents, Jeffrey Scott “Jeff” Tetrick and Jennifer “Jenn” Tetrick of Oxford, MS; a sister, Collins Sophie Tetrick of Oxford, MS; grandparents, Jane and Carl Tetrick of Greensburg, IN and Tammy and Randall Jewell of Indianapolis, IN and great-grandmother, Myrna Owens of St. Paul, IN.
Memorial contributions in Chance’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit our website www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.
Chance’s family invites everyone to celebrate Chance’s life, love of the Rebels and hard-fought fight on Saturday, Aug 9 at 2 p.m. at the Tad Smith Coliseum. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8 between 4 to 8 p.m. at Waller Funeral Home located at 419 Highway 6 West.
For more information about Chance, please visit www.finsupforchance.com. All donations made through today will be matched to help the family with funeral costs and medical bills.
Support for the Tetrick family has not been in short supply this week as news of Chance’s passing has gripped all of Rebel nation. Coach Freeze and Athletic Director Ross Bjork tweeted out what he meant to the team and the community.
His father Jeff Tetrick sent the following message via the Chance’s Landing Facebook page:
“We want each of you to know that our sweet and precious Chance is now resting with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. Jenn and I spent a beautiful day with Chance. We are proud of him for being a great kid and for knowing Jesus. God blessed us with a beautiful boy. Chance will forever live in our hearts. We love you forever, Chance!”
HottyToddy.com staff report.
