Honor Chaz with a Coral Reef Memorial

Christopher Charles Davidson Arnold, a.k.a. Chaz was a quiet gentle giant with a beautiful smile.

Chaz was an honor student in all his 12 years of education. In high school, he sat on the Ohio Governor’s Student Board. After graduation, Chaz attended Florida Atlantic University majoring in “Marine Biology” and specializing in Cetology/Elasmobranchology (the study of sharks), and the University of Cincinnati.

Chaz was a Beautillion Militaria and was awarded the highest scholarship. Chaz had an intellectual and analytical mind and was savvy with technology. He was patient and attentive when teaching others, especially his elders. Chaz was employed by firms such as Microsoft, Apple, Verizon and Tesla in high tech positions.

Chaz Arnold was an avid competitive swimmer. He had a great affinity for the ocean and its inhabitants, demonstrated by becoming a certified open-water scuba diver with the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. He was a National Judo Champion, a brown belt. Chaz loved wild, exotic animals such as pythons, reptiles, whales, sharks, and dolphins but would hurt himself and anyone around him trying to get away from a tiny mayfly.

Early in life, Chaz professed his faith in Jesus Christ. His abroad travels took him to Guatemala on a missionary quest to assist with building homes for the residents. He also gave back to his community by volunteering many hours at the Dayton Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

Chaz was a scholar of many things but was exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable about the ocean and aquatic life. Chaz loved the water, especially swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. Whenever you see the bluest of waters and waves leaping up as if to hug you-- think of Chaz. Chaz was in-depth, full of wisdom, and a quiet calmness…these are also words equated to the ocean.

Chaz had been battling cardiomegaly. He succumbed to this at the young age of 27 on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Kettering Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.

His family would like to raise funds to purchase an Eternal Reef or Memorial Reef; a unique way to honor Chaz and contribute to marine life conservation. This is how it works:

His cremated remains are mixed with environmentally safe, marine-grade concrete.

The mixture is then shaped into a reef ball, which mimics the structure of a natural reef.

The reef ball is submerged onto the ocean floor, creating a new habitat for marine life.

Through this process, Chaz becomes part of a living legacy and pays homage to his affinity for the ocean and aquatic life. This memorial not only provides a lasting tribute to Chaz but also helps restore and support marine ecosystems...something that Chaz would love and a beautiful way for him to continue giving back to the ocean while keeping the memory of him alive.

His family is trying to raise $10,000 for a multi-day memorial gathering featuring the dedication of a Memorial Reef and Celebration of Life events. These monies will also assist with the payment of his cremation expenses and funeral service arrangements.

Please and thank you,

The family of Chaz

Memorial Reefs International: [email redacted]