Over the last couple of months, Red Raiders have been saddened, captivated, and even emboldened by Cody Fuller’s battle against pancreatic cancer. Fuller passed away on May 14, but his larger-than-life legacy of faith and service will live on for lifetimes to come.
A former two-sport standout at Texas Tech, Fuller was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer on March 10, 2022. He entered intense treatment and rode a roller coaster emotional and spiritual journey over the course of the following two months as friends, family, and those connected to his alma maters of Smithson Valley High School and Texas Tech shared words of love, support, and faith across social media.
Supporters also made financial contributions totaling more than $370,000 to assist with Fuller’s treatment and prayer gatherings were held across Texas when Fuller rebounded from what looked to be the end of his journey and returned to the hospital to continue the fight.
I feel honored to have known Cody in the small ways that I did and to have seen God work through the tragic loss of a 39-year-old to reignite the faith of so many across Texas and beyond. Far too often it takes experiences like this for us to share what impact people have on our lives once we look at their life in retrospect. I encourage you – don’t wait.
Don’t wait to say I love you. Don’t wait to thank those whose positive influence has altered the trajectory of your life. Don’t wait to renew your faith, it’s not too late to live more like Cody.
Cody Fuller will be missed by many, but grief is tempered by meaning. In talking with Cody’s close friends and teammates I’m confident in saying that he truly was the best of us. One of those rare people who was a positive influence and example his entire life. Even in death, his example is forcing us to examine if we are being the best we are capable of being.
I have a feeling Cody likes it that way.
Look out Heaven – there’s a Red Raider comin’ at ya.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 pic.twitter.com/UPhzAQFp3M— Red Raider Dugout (@RedRaiderDugout) May 15, 2022
The stories at Cody Fuller’s Prayer Group are incredible, I encourage you to see what kind of impact he had on so many lives in so many ways.
Linked below are the stories we’ve published about Cody Fuller, including the timeline of his journey if you are unfamiliar with how events played out.
March 11: Cody Fuller Needs Red Raider Support
Cody Fuller: The Fight So Far | Updated 5/15/22
Cody Fuller gave us memories that will last a lifetime and we are devasted by the loss of one of our own.
Our thoughts are with the Fuller family. pic.twitter.com/r6Z5MY7Ctw
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) May 18, 2022
Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal wrote a nice piece about Cody with quotes from Sonny Cumbie, George Watson, and Larry Hays:
Texas Tech sports: Red Raiders two-sport athlete Cody Fuller dies at 39 (lubbockonline.com)
Below is Cody’s obituary and the recording of his memorial service.
Cody Fuller, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend left this world on Saturday, May 14, 2022, to be welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior. Cody lived his life with an eternal purpose, as a shining light to all who knew him, whether for a lifetime or only a moment. He carried the Joy of faith within him at all times and shared it with others freely in the most encouraging manner.
He was devoted to his family his entire life. As a loving son and grandson, he exhibited care, respect, and devotion. As a brother he was the example all brothers hope to be and walked with strength as he carved a path for Lance and Clay to follow. He was their biggest supporter and best friend. As a husband to Cassie, he was the man of faith God calls every husband to be. He was by her side as her companion, her protector, and her biggest cheerleader, loving her wholly and completely. And as a father, he was the truest example of unconditional love, providing guidance, encouragement, and structure with a foundation of faith. Finally, to his friends, Cody was a source of energy, positivity, and joy who brought people to a deeper understanding of their own faith journey.
Cody Fuller’s impact in this world touched many in the Bulverde and Smithson Valley communities through his life as an athlete, coach, and businessman. As a standout multi-sport athlete at Smithson Valley High School and Texas Tech University and as a partner in the family-owned Fuller Companies, Cody brought the community together wherever he went. He did this not only through excellent performance but servant leadership.
This servant mindset was also exhibited through his love of coaching young people, teaching them to seek excellence in all they undertook – sports, education, family, and life. He truly loved inspiring and serving others and took so much joy from leading others to their home in Christ Jesus.
Cody was and is a constant. A constant wellspring of all things good in this world. While he is and will always be greatly missed in this life, we know he is sitting at the feet of Christ waiting for each of his to share in the peace and love that is ours in eternity.
Cody is survived by his wife Cassie and their four children, Chandler, Creed, Cohen, and Collins, his parents, Ken and Cindy Fuller, grandmother Bonnie Fuller, brothers Lance and wife, Morgan, Clay and wife, Mackenzie, numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as hundreds of close friends.
A celebration of life service was held Thursday, May 19, at 1:00 pm at Concordia Lutheran Church San Antonio. The family invited attendees to wear white symbolizing purity, new beginnings, and the clean slate that we all have when we believe in the redemption of Christ Jesus. Donations to the Cody Fuller Fund at Concordia Lutheran Church are requested in lieu of flowers.
