Christopher 'Chris' Cline Chase, 71, of Castroville, passed away on September 3, 2023 after a brief battle with Esophageal Cancer.  He was born December 16, 1951 in Corpus Christi, Texas to the late Carl and Gwendolyn Chase.

Chris graduated from Richard King High School in 1970 and then shipped off to California after joining the Navy and selecting the Naval Special Warfare career field.  For him, failure was never an option so he completed one of the most difficult military training pipelines in the world and served four years as a Navy SEAL.  He was a graduate of BUD/S Class 70, GMG-A School, SERE, Army Airborne/Freefall/HALO/Rigger School, and served as a Bravo Platoon Operator for SEAL Team 1 on the West Coast.

After honorably discharging from the Navy, Chris pursued a career in Commercial Diving.  He graduated the College of Oceaneering in Wilmington, CA and certified in commercial/Bell/SAT diving.  He went on to create two successful companies, C&W Diving (1977-1984) and B&C Diving and Construction, Inc (1984-2009) in San Diego, CA.  His companies specialized in Government contracts with emphasis in US Navy ship repair (SUPSHIPS, NAVSEA), underwater construction (Port Authority, Water Districts, Corps of Engineers, etc.) and inland waterways and reservoirs (lakes, dams, structures).  He also performed numerous design/builds on custom homes and commercial buildings in the San Diego area.

After retiring from Commercial Diving, Chris worked with Blackwater USA as a Navy Special Warfare/Navy Special Operators (NSW/NSO) Mentor in Dallas, TX and Denver, CO.  He assisted Navy Recruiting in selecting, training, testing, contracting, and tracking prospective candidates for entry into Navy Special Warfare programs such as BUD/S (SEAL training), SWCC, EOD, AIRR, and diver programs.

"The only easy day was yesterday".  Chris lived this SEAL motto and he both worked and played hard.  When he wasn't on the jobsite, he was racing dirt bikes with his kids, jumping out of trees at Garner State Park, hunting elk in Alaska, taking cruise ships to new destinations and always looking for an adventure.  He was a proud conservative and his heart always resided in his home state of Texas.  He loved his family, dogs, and horses and was fiercely loyal to his friends.

Survivors include his children, Carl, Derek, and Chelsea Chase; grandchildren, Michaella, Bryndle, and Hayden Chase; stepmother, Joyce Chase; sisters, Terry Farris and Carla Chase; and numerous other relatives including Bryan and Yvonne Chase whom he raised as his own.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mike.

As per Chris' request, no funeral or memorial service will be held at this time.  A 'paddle out' with his closest friends and family will take place in Coronado, CA at a later date.  His ashes will be released in the Pacific Ocean where he shed blood, sweat, and tears as a SEAL and commercial diver.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the UDT/SEAL Association in memory of Chris Chase.   https://www.udtseal.org

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com