Christopher Badger

Christopher James “Chris” Badger stepped into eternity during the morning hours of Sunday, February 20, 2022, at the age of 68. Chris was born on October 14, 1953, in Topeka, Kansas, to James and Beverly Badger of Carbondale, Kansas.

Chris is the oldest of five children and was raised on the family farm. This taught him many life lessons that he incorporated into all that he did—daily hard work, helping your neighbors, a job worth doing is a job worth doing well.

He attended grade school in Carbondale and high school at Santa Fe Trail High School where he excelled in all his studies. Upon graduation from SFT in 1971, Chris attended Kansas State University where he pursued an undergraduate degree in animal science and a masters in agricultural economics.

During his time at KSU, Chris served on the student senate and was ultimately elected to the position of student body president. While student body president, a representative from a campus ministry suggested that Chris read Josh McDowell‘s book Evidence That Demands a Verdict. She actually wouldn’t take no for an answer. The Hound of Heaven was after Chris as He is for all of us. After reading the book and asking friends deep-seated questions, he wholeheartedly committed his life to Christ and never turned back. His service to the Lord took on many forms. He served as an ordained lay minister, mentor, small group leader and teacher at both Metroplex Covenant Church and Gateway Church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, serving God faithfully the rest of his life.

After graduating from Kansas State University, his first job was with the Kansas Legislature as a fiscal analyst. His interest in pursuing politics waned when he saw the effects it had on family life.

In 1978, he met Lucy Wawrzyniak whom he married a year later. Seeking a career transition, he followed his father’s advice and pursued a banking career in Overland Park, Kansas. Starting in the trust department, he later transitioned into correspondent banking which led to a move to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1984 where he spent the next 25 years working for Texas Independent Bank. During that time, he attended SMU’s Graduate School of Banking where he graduated at the top of his class. Chris’s territory with TIB was East Texas. At the beginning of his tenure, very few independent banks were doing business with the TIB Holding Company. At the end of his tenure, almost all the independent banks were participating. His engaging personality and “Badger” tenacity won the day! Around 2005, Chris had the opportunity to open a branch of Premiere Bank of Missouri in downtown Grapevine, Texas. Starting and leading that bank was one of the highlights of his banking career.

Looking for a new horizon, Chris and Lucy bought Grapevine Realty in 2010 and developed a successful brokerage, property management, and remodeling company. It was a natural fit because Grapevine was home for 35 years, where he and his family lived and served the community. It was easy to sell property there.

At his core, Chris was a family man. His family was top priority for him, evidenced by his investment of time, energy, and resources. Faith was central to the family values, as were hard work, excellence in academics, participation in athletics, both personally and watching Kansas State football. Competition added spice to family life both on the field and at home.

Chris was preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Jean Badger. He is survived by his wife Lucy; three children, Jonathan Badger, his wife Shannon, and children Judah, Ethan, Christian, and Sarah; Daniel Badger, his wife Cari, and children Luke and Claire; and Anna Richardson and her husband Alex; his father James Badger and wife Ardith, and four siblings: Cindy Smith and husband Milton, Jeff Badger and wife Katherine, Jennifer Bryant and husband Jimmy, and Barbara Rush and husband Gary plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Cancer ravaged his body, but it didn’t touch his spirit. His theology was simple: God has given us everything we need for each and every day, and God’s Word was his lens for life. We believe God is saying, “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into your Master’s reward.” He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.