Christopher Scott Newman

Christopher Scott Newman roared into this world on March 22, 1970, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, and left it on his own terms on August 15, 2025, in Bountiful, Utah.

Chris was a force of nature-equal parts fire, wit, intellect, compassion, and stubbornness-and if you were lucky enough to know him, you knew he was one in a million.

He spent his early years in Coaldale, Alberta, where his life of physicality, curiosity, and boundary-testing began. He was a standout football player at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and later at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho), where he earned All-American honors. Chris liked to tell the story of how his mother kept him out of hockey as a kid-fearing he'd lose his teeth in a fistfight. Ironically, it was a church basketball game that ultimately claimed them.

Chris turned down football scholarships to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ogden, Utah. It wasn't the destination he had hoped for, but-true to form-he made the most of it, serving others and drawing people in with his big energy and even bigger heart.

He later played football for the University of Utah in 1993 and 1994 and married Laura Whiting. On the day of his final collegiate football game-the Freedom Bowl in Anaheim, California, on December 27, 1994-Laura gave birth to their first child, Caleb, seven weeks early. They always joked that Caleb just wanted to see his dad play.

Chris went on to build a life that spanned multiple states, countries, and chapters. He had three children-Caleb, Josie, and Gillian-who he loved fiercely and spoke of with immense pride. He was always quick to praise their mother for the role she played in their lives and remained a steadfast, loving presence through all their milestones.

Later in life, Chris found a different kind of soulmate in Annette-his life partner, fellow adventurer, and best friend. Together, they built a life full of hiking, biking, traveling, debating, scheming, and quiet companionship. They laughed, fought, and dreamed big.

And then there was Bob-Chris's beloved dog that Annette never wanted, but who quickly became part of the family. Chris adored that damn dog. Much like his human, Bob is fiercely loyal, wildly unpredictable, and unapologetically himself. They were kindred spirits: territorial, protective, and just a little wild.

Chris was many things-a deep thinker, a brutally honest conversationalist, a relentless question-asker. He was flawed, funny, and full of contradictions. He didn't like euphemisms. He didn't blame "demons"-he believed in personal responsibility and showing up as your truest self. He struggled, but he also loved deeply. He lived in a world where emotions were raw and thoughts were intense.

And for eight incredible years, he shared his full, unfiltered self with Annette-who loved him completely.

He was a warrior-but warriors get tired. Still, his spark remains. Chris believed in connection beyond this life. He and Annette promised to find each other again, in whatever form came next.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Matherly; his mother, Lorna Phelan; his children, Caleb (Heather), Josie (McKay), and Gillian (Jacob); and his eight grandchildren-Cash, Cade, Georgia, Beverly, Remington, Ruelle, Lillian, and Skylar. He is also remembered by many who were drawn to his soul and will never forget him.He is now reunited with Mack, Marshall, Marlene, and his father, Robert-and hopefully trail running somewhere beautiful.

Chris, we love you. You were a beautiful, complicated spark-and the world is a little dimmer without you.

"Legends never die, they become a part of you."You will always be a part of us.