Don,Janine, Kyle, our family shares your tragic loss. Our shared memories of Cody growing up to become such an inspiration as an athlete add greatly to our shared loss.
Please know our family is deeply saddened and wish we could do more to support you during this time. 
Dave, Maribeth, Jeremiah, Brandon, Zach and Vince.

I am saddened to hear about Cody. 

Cody was my assistant and strength coach during my first year at UIS.

I have so many fond memories of him. One that sticks out the most was during preseason. We did a fitness test that included strategy and team building. Not to go into too much detail, it was a 400m track on the grass and there were teams of four. There was multiple relay races at different distances, in the end each player had to run the same amount overall. Teams had to plan  each relay strategically.

One team had an odd number of three, Cody as Coach, volunteered to do the workout to complete the final team. I looked at him and said, “are you sure, this one is  brutal.” He replied with that laugh we were  all so fond of, “don’t worry I got this”. 

The last relay came up and it was a 400m and Cody’s team was in the lead. The problem was that the other teams set up by having each guy running a 100. Cody’s team set themselves to only have Cody run the full 400m. I laughed and said, “you guys didn’t plan this out well.” Cody laughed again and said, “I got this”. I shook my head.

Needless to say, as most found out when they doubted him, he had the ability to take it to another level that most athletes only wish they had….he won that race. Guys were laying on the ground after the races. He just smiled like it didn’t faze him. True Cody right there. 

I will say he was one of my most favorite people I have ever met. Heart of gold, a man’s man, didn’t complain, worked his butt off in everything he did, and that smile and laugh was contagious. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about him. 

We lost a special person. God bless you Cody!

I am so sorry for your loss Cody was a great influence in my life ! He made me strive to be a better athlete . I worked out with him and Jesse every day to become a better soccer player and team mate he will be missed GBNF  KOOF                      SINCERELY 
                                       TURD!

Don and Janine,
So sorry for your loss our hearts and prayers are with you. 

Mike and Kathy Ashenfelter

Saddened to hear about Cody.

I watched him play soccer at Tri-city I was only in 6th grade but my fondest Memory of Cody. 

Cody was in my gym class as a highschooler  I remember I always looked up to Cody, Jesse Elmore & Walter Patton I was much younger. 

One day we were playing soccer in the new gym just kicking the ball back and fourth somehow I found myself standing against the padded area against the wall talking it up to Cody.  I told Cody I’d stop his shot. My entire class moved to the sidelines they wanted to see this…

When Cody took this kick, I will never forget the view of this ball coming across that gym it lives effortlessly in my mind in slow motion. The first time I have ever seen a soccer ball at that speed, an unbelievable speed and cork screwing like a knuckle ball it changed directions 3 times with in a second and slammed the wall. Many student gasping as he just put it right passed my head and scored on me. I’ll never forget that soccer kick ive never seen  one like it again in my life.  I thought he was the coolest soccer player I watched many of his goals scored on the field always cheered them on and he always said what’s up to me and high fiving. I used to sit on there bench with them at home games. Always had good memories of Cody and always hoped he was doing well 

I am sorry to hear about Cody and I hope you can all find some sort of peace. 

~Joel Johnson

Dear Don & Janine,
We were so shocked and saddened to hear the news about Cody.  Our hearts are broken for you both and Kyle.  I know he was the best at everything he did.
We still think of him & all your family back when we were all young and Cody being the baby at 4 yrs old.  We all had such good times together.
As you grieve your loss of Cody, please know, we will be thinking of you and praying for you through this most hard of times.  If you ever feel the need to talk, we are here for you.
Love to you both and to Kyle.

Pat and Cathy Gietl

Cody and I got to battle it out on the field for a few years while he was at Bradley and I was at Drake. 

We had two summers as teammates with the Menace in 05 and 06. 

Cody was a guy. He was a [insert inappropriate words regarding his competitiveness]. I HATED playing against him until he was on the team we were both playing for and that made me dislike him even more at times when we didn't have on the same bib in training. 

We both wanted to win. We pushed and pulled each other a lot for two summers. We kicked each other while teammates and opponents. Cody being present between the lines whether a friend or foe always brought out the best in everyone. 

We stayed in touch for years after our playing days. Tried helping each other through tragedies, triumphs and everything in between. 

I'll miss the tough phone calls. The ones we reminisced that brought us ridiculous amounts of joy. The ones we cried together in pain or glory. 

Cody was a good man. 

One of the best I got to share a field with both in competition and life. 

Praying for all of you.

I'm so blessed to have known him.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Cody Ryan Kother

27 mars 1982 – 12 avril 2025

Butler Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center-Springfield

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