Christopher "Chris" Michael Jacquin

Christopher Michael Jacquin, 49, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on April 16, 2024, at his residence in Tucson, Arizona. Christopher was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, to Steven Jacquin and Beverly O’Donnell. He spent his childhood in Denver, Colorado, and was a state-championship cross-country and track runner with the Idaho Springs Golddiggers. Chris finished third in the mile at the state meet, turning in his best personal best time. He was chosen by his classmates to deliver the senior commencement address for his high school graduating class. He graduated with honors from Hastings College in Nebraska in 1997 and went on to complete his Masters in Education from the University of Colorado Denver in 2007. He also completed all of his coursework for his Ph.D. in Education at Concordia College. Teaching was Christopher’s calling, and he positively influenced thousands of young people as a beloved English teacher at Aurora Central High School and Park Hill High School in Kansas City Missouri. He married Carrie Ann Cooper in 2008 and they made a home in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City for 12 years with their treasured pets, Scarlett the cat and Darwin the dog.

Chris was a citizen of the world; he and his wife, Carrie, spent the last few years teaching abroad at the International School of Myanmar, in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), where he was honored to be chosen by the senior students to deliver the 2022 commencement address. In their time traveling throughout Asia, Hawaii, and Europe, Chris was always the first to extend a friendly smile to a stranger and will be sorely missed by dear friends who span the globe.

Chris found joy in reading, running, skiing, dancing, and watching football with his family. He found peace spending time in nature, particularly in the Rocky Mountains, and basking in the sun near the ocean. He was a man of deep spirituality and believed all are seeking the same summit, just using different paths to climb. 

He is survived by his wife Carrie, his father Steve Jacquin, beloved step-mother Jackie deGlee of Denver, Colorado, and his loving mother Beverly O’Donnell and step-father Patrick O’Donnell of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces. 

The family hopes to put together a celebration of life to honor Chris at some point in the near future.

Please honor Chris’ memory by donating to the Arizona Youth Partnership, 7575 W. Twin Peaks Rd., Ste. #165, Tucson, AZ 85743; (520) 500-9995; azyp.org or Unleashed Pet Rescue and Adoption 5918 Broadmoor, Mission, KS 66202; (913) 831-7387; unleashedrescue.com.

Goodnight, sweet prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.