Daniel Worth "Coach" Chadwick

Daniel Worth (Coach) Chadwick II, beloved father, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away at home in the company of his family on November 21, 2024. He was born in Carthage, TX on January 3rd 1936 to Daniel Worth and Willie Eletha (Bettis) Chadwick. He was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of nearly sixty years, Karen (Mitchell) Chadwick, his parents, his daughter in law Diana (Moke) Chadwick and his sister Billie (Chadwick)Neimi.

 Dan was the quintessential Texas man. He excelled as a football player at Longview High School where he became a Christian through his involvement with Young Life Ministries. He earned a scholarship to play football at East Texas State before a serious car accident ended his playing career. He met and married Karen while recovering from the accident and took a job as a roughneck in the oilfield to make ends meet. Karen insisted that he finish his degree, and not being one to argue with his bride, he complied and graduated from Stephen F Austin University in 1967.

 Following graduation, Dan accepted a position as a math teacher and coach at Leveretts Chapel High School. His 1970 varsity football team won their region, which was the highest accomplishment possible for a Class B school at that time.

In 1974 he moved to Kilgore High School, where he continued to coach and teach. He returned to Leverets Chapel in 1976, subsequently completed requirements for a graduate degree in education and became an administrator.

 He left Leveretts Chapel in 1990 to start SAILS School in Kilgore, one of the first charter schools in Texas. He served as Principal for over ten years and continued to teach at what later became East Texas Charter School into his 80s. East Texas Charter now operates from the Dan Chadwick Campus in Longview.

 Throughout his teaching and coaching career, Coach Chadwick served as a huddle leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and friend and mentor to athletes and students from all walks of life. His demeanor and genuine interest let everyone he engaged with know they were important and loved. He served as a deacon at First Baptist Kilgore, and attended Green Acres Baptist and Grace Creek Church later in life.

 Coach Chadwick is survived by his sons Daniel Worth Chadwick III of Waco and Bobby (Kim) Chadwick of Kilgore, daughter Debbie (Wade) Priddy of Chattanooga, TN, eight grandchildren; Zac Chadwick, Stephanie (Justin) Wenzlawsh, Jon David (Megan) Chadwick, Jordan (Carl), Buch, Tawny (Tom) Fulton, Tori Glass, Andy Priddy, Bailey (Austin) Thayer and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore from 3:00-5:00 Sunday, November 24th. A memorial service will be held at Rader Funeral Home at 12 noon, Monday November 25th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local FCA chapter Younglife Club.

 The family is abundantly grateful for the care giving by Heritage Hospice. They loved Coach Chadwick and some were even a product of his legacy at SAILS.