Christian Thomas Bartels

Christian Bartels “Pop” or “Buck” was born on July 19, 1951, in Teaneck, New Jersey. He died on February 1, 2021, at age 69 at Baptist Collierville Hospital, in Collierville, TN. His funeral will be held at Harvest Church at 3645 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Germantown, TN 38138. Visitation will be from 11:30-1:00 pm, Funeral is to follow at 1:00 pm. on Saturday February 6th. Harvest Church will also be live-streaming the service on their website https://harvestmemphis.org/live-stream

Chris is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Victoria Ellis Bartels, his children Teddy Bartels (Shannon), Ross Bartels, Thomas Bartels, and grandchild Gunner Bartels, His sister Kathy Bartels (Bill), His brothers Robert Bartels (Peggy), and David Bartels (Shelley).

He was preceded in death by his parents Catherine and Harold Bartels.

Christian met Victoria in 1983 when he was the Assistant Coach of the Memphis Americans. Victoria sang the National Anthem at the Memphis Americans game. It was love at first sight. Viki would always say she loved how his blue eyes sparkled and he had the best legs ever! He proposed by asking “How would you feel about marrying a guy from New Jersey?” They had their first date in April and were married by September at Kirby Woods Baptist Church and enjoyed 37 years of marriage. Their life was an unending adventure. Chris and Viki were best friends. Throughout their life together, they enjoyed annual vacations at the Jersey Shore while visiting Chris’s family. Countless holidays at family gatherings with Victoria’s side of the family.

Chris and Viki were owner-operators of a Subway franchise from 1987- 1997. They loved to travel together and were always planning their next adventure. Favorite trips together were Italy and two trips to Israel. Chris was a student of history and loved the experience of walking where Jesus walked. They also went on soccer trips to Denmark and Poland.

Chris’s life was a walking testimony to his faith. Chris accepted Christ at the age of 27 as a result of a wrong number being dialed. A young man with Campus Crusade for Christ at Bowling Green State University called and asked for Tim. Chris told him he had the wrong number and to that young man’s credit, he knew it was providence. He asked if he could come over right then and talk to Chris. Chris accepted the offer and the young man came and shared the Gospel with him and he accepted Christ. His life changed forever! His brother Bob had accepted Christ sometime earlier and had been witnessing to Chris, planting the seed. During those years all his siblings would come to Christ and oh what beautiful Christ-followers they all became! All of the Bartels kids would enter ministry in some way or the other. Kathy Bartels Spanjer and her husband Bill founded a Christian school in their community, Chapel Field Christian School. Bob & Peggy Bartels would serve with Wycliff Bible Translators in Papua New Guinea. David Bartels would become a pastor and now serves as a counselor for pastors with The River Foundation. David’s wife, Shelley, has a Christian counseling service for married couples. What a beautiful legacy of faith. Chris loved long conversations with his family about the Lord.

Chris loved his family so well! Laughter was never far away. Chris’s love for Viki was obvious to everyone, they were best friends. In their 37 years, he never missed an opportunity to give his wife special gestures of love, routinely leaving notes and flowers for her to find. His last love note was waiting for her on her bathroom mirror last Friday. What a treasure Chris will always be to his wife who adores him. Both Chris and Viki found their one true love.

Chris’s three boys were his pride and his happiest moments were both watching his sons play the game and having the chance to coach each of them during their time at Briarcrest. His relationships with his children were unique to each son. Chris and Teddy both shared the deepest passion for Soccer and believed in the importance of the sport in the community. Teddy has followed in his father’s footsteps coaching both for the Legends and for the University of Memphis as the assistant coach for the Lady Tigers. After each game or practice, Ted would call his dad to talk about every specific detail of how to improve players and advance the level of play on and off the field with Chris always regaling about his playing and coaching days to help relate to Ted’s new situation. Ted now occupies the office in the same hallways of the UofM that his father once worked.

Ross, Chris’s second son, had a love for films and writing which allowed Chris to tell Ross about all his favorite movies and books. They would easily spend an hour talking on the phone due to Ross always lived far away. Catching up on all the details was both Chris and Ross’s favorite routine. Chris loved to see Ross pursuing his own goals and dreams. He always encouraged him to keep on working towards those dreams, even if it meant being far from home.

Chris’s youngest son, Thomas, whom he called Pie as a result of a mispronounced word. Chris was so funny and was always looking for an opportunity to tease. The nickname stuck forever. They would stay up driving all night traveling either on family vacations or soccer tournaments, talking nonsense and laughing till the sun came up. Chris and Thomas loved a lively debate whether they agreed or disagreed. Chris saw so much potential in Thomas when it came to his work ethic and ability as a player and coach. His greatest pride was seeing Thomas working with the kids in the Legends program, always smiling as he watched from the sidelines as Thomas took control of players and coaches with a positive and commanding attitude.

Chris never missed a moment to tell his boys how proud he was of them. The love Chris had for his sons was immeasurable, and the love they had for their father was the same.

Shannon Johnston Bartels was a beloved daughter-in-law. Chris thought Shannon was so smart and loved to brag about her to everyone. Ted & Shannon had their son, Gunner, and Chris became Pop. Being his only grandson, Pop would never pass on an opportunity to laugh and play with Gunner, even dressing up with him for Halloween as Luigi to his Mario. Even on Chris’s last day, he took Gunner to school and would laugh at all the funny things his grandson would say. Gunner will miss his grandfather deeply and will never forget all the love and attention Pop gave to him during his first six years of life.

Chris graduated from Oradell High School in 1969 and was part of the team that won the State Championship for New Jersey. In his offseason, he played for the Hoboken German Americans and the New York Metropolitan German American League. Chris later attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio on scholarship where he captained the Falcons to their first NCAA Tournament. Chris was an All- Ohio and All-Midwest Selection while at Bowling Green where he would earn his B.S. in Journalism and Public Relations. Chris also earned a master’s degree in Physical Education.

Chris joined Athletes in Action in California, which was the athletic arm of Campus Crusade for Christ where they toured Mexico, St Croix, Trinidad, Barbados, and Puerto Rico as well as playing in a regional professional league in California. After three years in California, Chris Returned to Ohio where he spent two years as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Physical Education and Assistant Soccer Coach. During that time, he earned his USSF National “C”, “B” and “A” coaching licenses. In 1980, Chris expanded his coaching experience traveling to England and spending a month with Lincoln City of the English Third Division.

In 1981, Chris moved to Memphis where he worked with the Memphis Americans of the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League). While with the Memphis Americans, Chris served as the Academy Director, Assistant Coach, Director of Player Personnel and also did radio and TV color commentating.

After his time with the Americans, he went on to be the General Manager and Head Coach of the Kalamazoo Kangaroos of the AISA (American Indoor Soccer Association). Two years later, he moved back to Memphis where he assumed duties as General Manager of the Memphis Storm of the NPSL (National Professional Soccer League). Chris served as the Memphis Tigers’ second head coach in program history from 1988-1998. He finished his 11-year career with a 110-89-19 record and helped lead Memphis to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1993.

Off the field, Bartels brought out the best in his student-athletes, helping land nine members on the Great Midwest Conference All-Academic Team in 1993 and 11 in 1992. The University of Memphis recognized the men’s soccer team during those seasons with the highest GPA on campus, while Bartels’ Tigers also had the highest graduation rate among U of M’s athletic programs.

Chris later took over as Briarcrest head coach for both boys and girls high school teams in 1999. There he was able to coach all three of his boys. He led the boys’ team to their first-ever state tournament appearance and led the girls to their first state finals. His biggest goal was always trying to lead his players to grow in Christ. The example he set for his players was the ultimate guide to how to live a Christian life.

Chris has been active locally in youth soccer having coached with the Dragons, MFC, and Lobos as well as one year as the State Coach of Tennessee. In 2008 Chris established the HappyFeet organization and in 2011 he started the Germantown Legends Competitive and Recreational Programs. His dream of running his own club was complete. He would walk around the fields watching all the teams practice every night, as well as attended every game he could. It was his ultimate dream job, as he got to watch as much soccer as he wanted. Chris enjoyed getting to minister to his coaches and talk about soccer till the lights turned off. He loved helping kids become the best they could be and grow up to be strong Men and Women. He loved every relationship he made along the way.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Legends Pride Booster Club, a nonprofit Soccer Scholarship Fund, or Chapel Field Christian School.

Donations Payable to:

Legends Pride Booster Club, 3606 New Gale Cove, Collierville, TN 38017

Chapel Field Christian Church, 211 Fleury Road, Pine Bush, NY 12566