Theodore Leigh Gladden

Theodore Leigh Gladden died on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

Theodore was not born to a loving family, which in turn, caused him to have a hard life. He ran down multiple bad paths, chasing and looking for the love and care that should have been given to him as a child. When Theodore was 17 years old, he met his wife and decided to turn his life around. He also decided to enlist in the United States Army to pursue his childhood dream. Theodore loved Jesus and was baptized on April 4, 2021 alongside his loving wife, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. Though he was not born with the best cards, Theodore did everything in his power to turn his life around.

The side effects of childhood trauma and abuse can be hard on a person and leave lasting effects on their brain. Due to the childhood he endured, Theodore struggled with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, and anger issues. Judging by his past, his loved ones believe this is what lead him to his untimely and tragic death.

He was a light to everyone he met. You were always laughing when Teddy was in the room. It was his mission to make everyone his friend. He always had a child-like heart.

He loved his wife, Gabrielle, with everything in him and he was always thankful to his mother-in-law, Keri and father-in-law, John, for being there for him when others could not.

While living in Colorado, he met two people that were truly family to him in his eyes, Sheryl and Buck Small-Elk. They were there for Teddy and his wife as they navigated to adventure of living in Colorado. Theodore called Buck “Dad” all of the time and viewed Sheryl as the stable mother that he was robbed from. Even though he did not know them for a long period of time, he will forever be in their hearts, as the four of them had plans to do life together.

Our hearts ache for the loss we have experienced and we will think of Teddy all of time, not just time to time.

Please consider making a donation in Teddy's name to Heartlift International. https://www.betterunite.com/heartlift-donate.