Christopher M. Ramsey

It sucks when a life ends at 21 years – unexpectedly, in a freak accident, in a freak storm. Damn that storm. It sucks when that life belongs to a beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, best friend, coach and fellow student.

And yet this short life was full and rich and very well lived. Chris' big heart, his even bigger smile, his compassion and goofiness, touched and enriched the lives of the many people he knew. His inspiration and motivation was a role model to many. He made people laugh: goofy is a word often used to describe him.

Chris was born in South Pasadena, California, the beloved child of Jerry and Kathryn Ramsey. The family lived the first six years in the greater L.A. area. His mom was then, and remained to the end, his love, best friend and confidante. From an early age he enjoyed many "adventures" with his Dad: camping, skiing and traveling. He loved the boys' sailing trips to Catalina Island.

In 2000 the family moved to Missoula, where Chris excelled at everything he did. He became an accomplished guitarist and cellist, and led the cellos in the Washington Middle School Orchestra and was lead cellist at Hellgate High School. He was currently a student at the University of Montana.

Chris's passion was gymnastics. He joined the Bitterroot Gym in 2003 and grew into an outstanding athlete and gymnast. His "iron cross" was a thing of beauty, his Facebook page is full of what he called his "tricks" – his feats of defying gravity. He was a regular top performer at regional and state gymnastics competitions. In 2012 he started coaching at the Bitterroot gym.

It was a hard year for Chris having lost his Dad on April 7, 2015. To honor and celebrate his father's life, Chris was planning a trip to Hawaii to scatter his father's ashes.

Chris will be missed, but with the pain of loss comes also the treasure of memories, of having known a great young man, and having become richer because of it.

Survivors are his mother Kathryn Ramsey of Portland, Oregon; brother William Duncan and wife Davi and their two children of Dixon, Wyoming; brother Keith Duncan and his wife Michelle and their three children of Dixon. Honorary pallbearers are William Duncan, Keith Duncan, Dave Stark, Adam Sears, Cort Jensen, Brian Thrailkill, James Marek, Ryan Holle and Mason McNeel.

A celebration of Chris' life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, at noon at the Bitterroot Gym, 216 Commerce St., Missoula.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Bitterroot Gym would be appreciated.
Read Christopher Ramsey's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.