Christopher Mark Polen

On August 16, 1990, in Dallas, Texas, the world welcomed Christopher Mark Polen-a baby boy with blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a smile that lit up every room. Before he was even old enough to remember, our family moved to Norman, where he would spend his entire life surrounded by the people and places, he loved the most. He graduated from Norman High School in 2009 with several commitments to DECCA and yearbook projects.

From the beginning, Christopher was full of energy-the kind of energy that kept me on my toes every single day. As a child, he jumped into life with both feet, playing football and baseball starting at age four. He gave every sport his all, and his teammates knew they could always count on his determination and his fiery spirit.

But Christopher’s adventurous heart went far beyond the fields. He loved snowboarding every chance he could, feeling the wind in the face as he raced down the slopes. At home, he found joy in riding bikes with his friends and long boarding through town. He was never afraid to try something new, and he seemed to live with a constant sense of “let’s go have some fun.”

That fearless streak showed up in countless moments-but one that stands out happened at mine and Jay’s wedding reception, right here in this park and where we have all gathered today to celebrate him and his life. At some point during our reception, I realized Christopher was nowhere to be found and after a little searching, I suddenly heard his little voice calling down from high above and there he was 30 feet in the air clinging to the top of a light pole and swaying in the wind. That was so Christopher: bold, adventurous, and unforgettable. We spent a lot of time at Andrews Park as he grew up through the years. A ton of memories before all the changes to the park, adding a skate park and amphitheater many years later.

As he grew older, not much changed-except his adventures grew bigger. Christopher joined the Navy in November 2014, serving with pride and commitment. He was stationed at the Naval Base in San Diego. He carried with him the same courage, energy, and joy for life that has always been his trademark. We will forever be so proud of his service to our Country.

Christopher is survived by his 5-year-old rescue dog, Boomer Polen; mother, Tera Shaver; father, Jay Shaver; sister, Jayna Shaver; brother, Casey Shaver; grandmothers, Sheryl Quick and her husband Jim Quick, and Janna Shaver; as well as many, many cousins. He leaves behind not just family, but countless friends who were blessed to know him for most of his life.

While today our hearts are heavy, our faith reminds us that this is not the end of Christopher’s story. We believe he is with the Lord, returned to energy, safe, whole, and filled with more joy beyond anything we can even imagine. One day, we will see him again and until then, we hold tight to the memories, the laughter, and the love he gave so freely.

Christopher, we will miss you more than words can ever say. Thank you for the joy you brought into our lives, for the adventures you shared with us, and for reminding us to live fully and love deeply. You will always be my precious boy, and I will carry you in my heart until the day we meet again.

“Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all”

“The pain of loss is the proof of love”

“To love deeply, even for a short time, is a blessing beyond measure”

“Love leaves a memory no one can steal”

“Though love is lost to sight, it is never lost to heart”

“Love’s gift remains, even when the one we love is gone”