Chad Jones, Colorado state champion wrestler for Hayden High School who later returned to his alma mater to coach wrestling in 2012, passed away at home Monday. He was 39.
Rod Ryg, coroner in Colorado's Routt County, told the Craig Daily Press on Oct. 6 that an autopsy and toxicology report showed that Jones died of an infection of the throat called tracheitis.
"He had a terrible infection that went unchecked," Ryg said. "He went in and thought that he had strep throat and found out he had this tracheitis."
Jones was found dead in his home on Sept. 17.
A 1997 graduate of Hayden High, Jones completed his prep career by winning a state wrestling championship in the 171-pound class. Not long after graduating, Jones launched his coacing career by mentoring youth wrestling and peewee football.
"He was into peewee football and wrestling since just a few years after high school," former Hayden wrestling coach and athletic director Ty Zabel told the Steamboat Pilot. "Chad was all about the kids, always. He would help them out if they were having trouble with their school work, and he always had their back."
Christian Carson, one of Jones' wrestlers throughout Carson's mat career, had positive memories of his long-time coach.
"Chad was always there in your ear whether he was talking to you or yelling from across wrestling floor," Carson said. "He told us that we were winners no matter what the scoreboard says and no matter what anyone says as long as you know in your heart that you gave 110 percent."
"He touched a lot of people's lives in a very positive way, both young and old," said Nick Planansky, who served as an assistant coach for the Hayden High School wrestling team. "He loved his coaching. He was there night and day for the kids, and anytime anybody needed anything he was there for them."
Chad Jones is survived by two children -- PiperJo and Saben -- along with his father, a sister and younger brother
A memorial service for Chad Jones was held at Hayden High School on Thursday, Sept. 20. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up at Mountain Valley Bank in Hayden to benefit Jones' children PiperJo and Saben Jones. Contributions can also be made through a GoFundMe page at GoFundMe.com/chad-jones-memorial-fund.
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