Chris & Owen Kedas Memorial Foundation

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Chris & Owen Kedas Memorial Foundation

Giving back to the Huron community, who gave so much to the Kedas' when unimaginable tragedy struck. Chris, age 45, was a loving husband and father. High.

His family meant everything to him. He was a provider. Chris was a graduate of Lakewood High School and The Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, Ohio. He was an invaluable and loved employee with South Shore Marine in Huron. Many of his customers became his friends and his wishes were for them to build memories with loved ones on the water, just as he had done. It w

as never just a “boat sale” to Chris. He attended the Chapel and was a member of the Erie County Conservation League. He loved boating, fishing, travelling to Florida and Alaska. His greatest joy was watching his sons grow up and being active in all that they enjoyed doing. Owen, age 11, was a beloved student at Huron's McCormick Jr. He was proudly elected to student government and was showing interest in becoming a fighter pilot or in sports medicine. Owen also attended the Chapel and had a passion for playing baseball, fishing, boating and hugging his mom. He was very artistic, athletic, patriotic, sweet and very funny. Owen was a loving son, brother, friend and teammate. This foundation, set up in their honor, intends to raise funds that will be returned to the schools and community in a multitude of ways like sports scholarships, uniforms, equipment or field maintenance. We are also looking to put forth resources to go to activities and programs to assist those who are grieving the loss of a child or children. The Kedas family have received such incredible support from the Huron community since the loss of Chris and Owen; they simply want to give back in some honorable ways.

08/31/2026

‼️The link to sponsor the 2026 Chris & Owen Memorial Fishing Derby is still open!! As a reminder, get those sponsorships in before our final cut-off date of September 14th, if you want your name/logo on whatever promotional item(s) are attached to the sponsorship level you choose. Please reach out if you have any questions. The different levels are explained in the link below.

Thank you to those that have already sent in their sponsorships. We truly think the world of you & appreciate your generosity so, so much!!😊

https://www.kedasmemorialfoundation.com/sponsorship-form-2026

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

08/16/2026

If you are so inclined to show those perch whose boss, the Teagarden Classic Memorial Perch Derby is being held on September 12th!!🎣

07/30/2026

🚨We are looking for sponsors for this year’s Chris & Owen Kedas Memorial Fishing Derby!! If any individuals or businesses would like to be a part of this special, memorable event, the sponsorship link is now active. The link below has all of the details. We’d love to have your support!!🎣

👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

https://www.kedasmemorialfoundation.com/sponsorship-form-2026

(This link is for sponsorship only, not to register to participate in the actual derby itself. Registration for the derby will open in a few weeks.)

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

07/12/2026

The Chris & Owen Kedas Memorial Foundation participated in this year’s River Fest in the best way we know how…

FISHING!!🎣

We had 36 kids between the ages of 4 and 14, come down to the Huron River to try their hand at catching some fish. Some were just learning, while some already looked ready to enter the professional circuit. For 2 hours, it was nothing but fun & smiles, & thankfully a nice breeze off of the river. At the end, each participant was given a tackle box with the foundation’s logo & additional prizes were given for those kids that won a category.

•Noah B. - First Fish Winner
•Tristan M. - Longest Fish Winner
•Matthew K. - Smallest Fish Winner
•Noah B. - Girthiest Fish Winner
•Noah B. - Most Fish Winner

Big thanks to…
Huron River Fest
Nicky with Great Lakes Event Works
Jarod with Old Lakeshore Charters
Aric with Central Basin Bait, Tackle, and Carryout
Holiday Harbor Marina
Huron Lagoons Marina
Huron Boat Basin & Amphitheater
Julie Lesnett
Valjean Link-Thaxton

Overall, it seems our inaugural kids fishing derby was a success & we look forward to participating again next year!!

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

07/04/2026

💙🤍❤️The Chris & Owen Kedas Memorial Foundation would like to wish you all a happy & safe holiday weekend!!🍔🌭🥩🥗🍉🍓🥧🍦

Because we care about y’all so much, here is our short PSA…📢
•Please drink responsibly.🍻
•Be sure all of your safety equipment is loaded up & in top working order.🛟
•Stay hydrated.🥵💦
•HAVE FUN!!🤪
•Sign up for our 🔫 raffle (send us a DM for more info).

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!🇺🇸

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

07/01/2026

For America’s 250th, the foundation decided to hold its first pew pew raffle!! Details are on the flier below. If anyone is interested in tickets, either PM the foundation or email us at [email protected]. You can also submit a “contact us” form through the website.

https://www.kedasmemorialfoundation.com/contact

Final drawing will be held at the end of derby day, Saturday, September 26th. Good luck!!🎣🇺🇸🔫

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

06/25/2026

⚾️🥎🐯We are proud to announce the 2026 Kedas Memorial Scholarship winners…HHS softball player, Kaylee Albrycht, & HHS baseball player, Jack Raglow!! Wishing you the best of luck with everything. Wherever you go, whatever you do, we are confident that you’re going to fulfill your dreams & do great things!!🐯🥎⚾️

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

06/23/2026

🔊Sound ON

Today is Chris & Owen’s angelversary. Five years. That seems impossible when it feels like it just happened yesterday, doesn’t it?🩵💙

I just wanted to take a second & thank everyone who has supported Chris & Owen’s foundation & the derby; my board members (Keith Sweigert, Julie Lesnett, Valjean Link-Thaxton, & Dan Lindsley) & their families, Steve Carlson, Matt Grieves & his family, our volunteers, our generous sponsors & donors, anybody that has fished in the derby, & the many, many friends that have stuck by me through the good, the bad, & the severely ugly. I could not have done or survived any of this without you all!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.❤️‍🩹

As the year goes on, I get more & more giddy about Chris & Owen’s memorial fishing derby, so it just seems fitting that on this impossibly hard day, I post my rookie attempt at a “hype” video. I hope you enjoy it. It was fun to make but I definitely have a lot to learn.🤭

Also, we’ve got some things in the works that we’re super excited about. So, continue to follow this page & watch for some upcoming posts detailing what we have in store.🔫😉

Thanks again everybody!!🎣

Remember…this year’s derby is Saturday, September 26th!!🗓️

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

05/05/2026

This past Sunday, the Chris & Owen Kedas Memorial Foundation’s sister group, the Wild Hope Social Club, hosted a group of bereaved parents at the Westmeister Farm in Shelby, OH. To say we had fun is an understatement. We had a blast!! We laughed, we learned, & we made new friends (animal & human)!! I adore this group. Spending time with them is like chicken soup for my soul!!

The next scheduled event isn’t until September, but if you or someone you know has lost a child at any age or for any reason, and there’s a need to connect with other parents that can relate, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us through the link below. Child loss is a lonely journey but you need not walk it alone. There is no judgement with this group. Just a lot of grace, care, support, & understanding.

https://www.kedasmemorialfoundation.com/contact

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

05/01/2026

Here’s your reminder to add Chris & Owen’s derby date to your calendar!!🎣

Never stop saying their names.
Forever28⚾️

Address

Huron, OH
44839

Website

http://www.kedasmemorialfoundation.com/

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