The world would be a much better place if more people were like Chad Cryer. He is one of the best men I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and as a mentor, his impact on my life has been tremendous. I aspire to love my family like he loved his, have a passion for my work like he had for his, and live out a faith in both our God and the ideals of our country as he did.

I was blessed with two whole years in Mr. Cryer’s classroom at Bryan High, learning about and debating the merits of how our world and country have evolved and come to be. He had a remarkable ability to present information in a robust manner which I have never again seen in a teacher. His class is what every high school and college class should be like – a place to nurture and inspire critical thinking, solve problems, and question assumptions.

His guidance went much further than the given curriculum – he exposed me to Ayn Rand, Thomas Sowell, Niall Ferguson, and other brilliant thinkers. We often talked about current events, and how they might relate to historical context and are much deeper than the simplifications given by reporters or history books. 

Chad taught me to be more open-minded and ask more profound questions. More importantly, he demonstrated how to live out a life as a Christian man. It was plain to see his beliefs because he practiced them so well every day. He loved his students well, and was a living testament to his faith in both God and in our great country.

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

Chad had a greater positive impact on the world in his 41 years than nearly anyone else might have in 100. My heart goes out to his lovely wife Nikki and their children Garrett, Ethan, and Avery. Be proud of the life that he lived, and always remember what an amazing man your father was. 


He would meet my daughter at 6am to tutor her in history.  I worked in Navasota hospital with his wife. I saw him pick her up and got to visit about my daughter.  This was in 2013. So sorry for your loss. An awesome teacher.

I was blessed with the opportunity to coach youth sports with Chad for several years. Whether it was flag football, basketball or baseball we were a great team and my job was easy. I was the organizer and he was the technician. Coach Chad was the consummate teacher. We continued our partnership for two years at The Lab and built quite a following through baseball group lessons and our "Sandlot" games.  The "Sandlot on Turf" was Chad's idea that helped us thrive as a brand new business during the COVID break, giving boys an opportunity to continue playing baseball in a safe environment outdoors while making new friends and sharpening their baseball skills. Through each lesson or Sandlot game, Coach Chad seized the opportunity to teach boys how to respect the game of baseball and be a good teammate. 

I'll never forget Chad's passion. One memory has always stayed with me; our shared affinity for the economist Thomas Sowell. Ever since we chatted about him, I've continued to read Sowell's work and always thought of Chad. 

Also, his co-authored book, A Day at the OOZ, is a wonderful read aloud and has been shared countless times!

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to know you Chad. 



I remember the first lecture that Mr. Cryer gave. I was so amazed at his level of thinking and at the level that he made us, students, think. Being able to pick his mind about issues made me grow in a way that I never imagined. He inspired me to perform my best not only physically, but intellectually. Not only was he an amazing teacher, but an inspiring role model. Words cannot express how much he will be missed. A true diamond in the community. 

Sam Chew

Although I never had the opportunity to know Chad, I have had the privilege to know his mom, Donna Cryer.  In reading stories written on social media about Chad from his former students and seeing the awards and accolades he has received as a history teacher, I quickly see that he was a man of integrity that has made a difference in so many lives. His legacy will live on! My prayers will continue for all of his family.  

Nancy Zenner

Mr. Cryer truly was one of my favorite people. Being a close friend of his son, I got to know Mr. Cryer more than the average student would, and for that I could not be more grateful. He never failed to put a smile on my face when I saw him and that in itself describes who he was. He was so passionate not only about teaching us but teaching us how to be good people. He cared and made an effort to have a relationship with every student. He loved to learn the new slang that us high schoolers said and what it meant and actively tried to use it in his own vocabulary. I can honestly say that Mr. Cryer was not only my favorite teacher throughout high school, but he was an amazing friend. One thing you would have always heard Mr. Cryer talk about is how much he loved his family, and the pride he had for his kids. He was taken far too soon from us and I will never forget the impact he has made on mine and so many others’ lives. We miss you, Mr. Cryer.

Truly great educators don't teach students what to think, but how to think, and Mr. Cryer was the greatest I ever had.  He challenged those who agreed with him and encouraged those who didn't. He did not simply teach history as events and dates, he taught and embodied respect, conviction, insight, and compassion. He exemplified being a good citizen and a better man. Above all, he taught that great things are accomplished by those who care enough to show up, and day after day, year after year, he cared enough to show up to mold teenagers into better adults. I deeply regret not being able to tell him this myself, but I will instead say it here: everything I am and everything I am striving to do in my life was shaped by sitting in his class. I hope pride in his profound and permanent legacy is some measure of comfort to all those who cared for him in this time.

Mr. Cryer is the best man that I have ever had the privilege of meeting. He holds so much love, integrity, and determination for every person that he comes across. He’s the first teacher that wanted to inspire ‘learning’ and not just to get through the course. He wanted to inspire perspective and how we as people could create progress for the world around us. A fantastic teacher, but an even better man. Not a day went by that we spoke and he didn’t mention how proud of his children he was. I never met the kids, but I feel like I knew them with how much he told me over the last 2 years of high school. It breaks my heart that the family has to grow up without such a fantastic husband and father, but I know that if I they are anything like him… then they will be strong and support one another. I’m so sorry for your loss, it is not fair to you all that this happened. An incredible man, who lived a meaningful life. Rest In Heaven.

Mr. Cryer was the best teacher ill ever have. I would brag in college saying that no class ever challenged me like his class did. Mr. Cryer was a reference of mine when I became a police officer and ill never forget how proud he was of me. 
Like everyone is saying he believed in his students and pushed up to believe in ourselves. He pushed his studengs to be the best version of themselves when we were only in high school. This man is a true legend of a educator and human being. God bless his family I will never forget the man Mr. Cryer was and the way he believed in me.

Mr. Cryer impacted my life more than I can even begin to explain. High school was hard for me. I didn’t really fit in. I didn’t really have many friends. We moved here right before I began HS and I felt like an outsider. 

Not only was Mr. Cryer a bad ass history teacher. He was a friend. Before school, a group of us would hang out in his room. One day, I remember confiding In him about how I felt like an outsider. He listened to me, reminded me that I had a purpose and told me I was welcome in his classroom at any time. 

He’s the reason I became an educator. The way he believed in me when no one else did, let me confide in him, and encouraged me to pursue my goals, inspired me to do the same for others. When I became a teacher, I reached out to him for advice. I struggled in my first years of teaching. He helped me through it and reminded me of the joys of teaching, despite the stress.

Mr. Chad Cryer, you left a mark on this world. Anyone who crossed your path respected you. You will be greatly missed. Thank you for the ways you inspired me.

I had Mr. Cryer as my AP US History teacher for the 2014-2015 school year at Bryan High and I always looked forward to his class at the end of the day. He always pushed us to think outside of the box and to look at things from many different perspectives. And his passion for teaching was visible everyday he was in class. He always made time for his students, and for that I will always be grateful. To this day he remains one of my most favorite teachers.

Mr. Cryer was the most impactful teacher throughout my high school journey. He prepared me for college the most, but he was also the most human teachers I have ever met. His family and I would go on baseball trips out of town and I will always remember the life tips and funny moments he shared on the car rides home.  My life wouldn’t have been the same if I never met Mr. Cryer, and I’m honored to say that he was a father figure in my life. My family and I will miss him greatly, and I can’t wait to use the advice he gave me throughout my future.

Mr. Chad Cryer was my history teacher 16+ years ago and I can still see him teaching our class in my mind's eye. He was one of my all-time favorite teachers because he was so passionate about what he was teaching and he made his students better people. He gave his students several chances to make the right decision. His teaching style was so impactful. Everyone he reached is blessed by him.

OBITUARY

Chad Aubrey Cryer

October 24, 1980 – December 14, 2021

Memorial Funeral Chapel—College Station

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