Chad Earl Hathaway

Chad Earl Hathaway, a treasured son, brother, uncle, friend, professional athlete and baseball coach, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the age of 51. A resident of Daytona Beach, Florida, Chad’s life was a grand slam both on and off the field. He has forever left a profound impact on his family, friends and the Volusia County baseball community. It is with great sadness that the Hathaway family announces his passing as the world has lost an incredible man.

Chad was born in St. Augustine, Florida on October 23, 1973, to Brian and Sherilynn Hathaway. He lived there for a short time before his family settled in Port Orange, Florida. Chad’s natural-born talents in baseball were evident from a young age, especially pitching, and he broke many windows in his childhood home. He played baseball and basketball at Warner Christian Academy, where he graduated in 1991. He went on to play college baseball at Methodist University, and was ultimately recruited to pitch for the Thundering Herd at Marshall University (#34), where he was ranked fourth overall in most appearances. Chad earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Criminal Justice and was a proud alumnus, returning to campus throughout the years for homecoming and other special milestones. In his early twenties, he played for the Front Royal Cardinals, and then went on to play Minor League Baseball for the Portsmouth Explorers and the Welland Aquaducks.

Before returning to his love of baseball, Chad had a successful career in district loss prevention for 12 years, including six years with Lowe’s Home Improvement as a district loss prevention manager. He also held the same position with Walgreen’s for eight years. Even as he juggled a busy career on the road, Chad dedicated his life to baseball and his impact was far-reaching. He was an accomplished head coach with a successful background in recruiting and evaluating talent. He was known as a mentor to his fellow baseball colleagues and had a tough on-the-field, heart of gold off-the-field mentality, expecting only the best from the countless players that he coached at numerous programs, including Warner Christian Academy, University High School, and most recently, Father Lopez Catholic High School. He was also involved in various elite travel ball organizations, coaching star students who would go on to play college baseball. He kept up with many of his former players and enjoyed following their successes in life.

Chad was an avid history buff and enjoyed traveling the world, having been to all but two continents. He was especially interested in military history, and visited the Battle of Normandy on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Chad was a talented golfer and a huge football fan. He could be found cheering on the Marshall Thundering Herd, the UCF Knights (his brother’s alma mater), the Miami Hurricanes and the Dallas Cowboys.

As if Chad’s accomplishments in 51 short years weren’t impressive enough, he faced the battle of a lifetime when he suffered an organ failure in 2015. He became ill very quickly and fought for his life, eventually coming to terms with his fate before a miracle organ was donated. He received a transplant on April 5, 2016. His gratitude for that gift no doubt amplified his already existing zest for life, and he lived every day to honor the donation and the donor. Chad was in the process of learning German as he prepared to join team USA in golf at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany in 2025. He also took home the gold medal for golf for team Florida at the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which were held in Birmingham this summer.

Chad had many passions, but nothing put a smile on his face more than his beloved dog Biscuit, whom he spoiled rotten. He was also a diehard San Diego Padres fan, a foodie, an avid movie quoter, a self-described geek when it came to the weather and politics, and just an incredibly gentle soul. Chad’s contagious joy, genuine kindness and positivity, playful and goofy sense of humor, and devotion to putting others’ needs before his own made him a one-of-a-kind class act. The Hathaway family takes solace in knowing that Chad has been reunited with his mom in heaven, and will forever celebrate the absolute gift that he was to all that knew him.

Chad leaves behind his father, Brian Hathaway, his brother Derek Hathaway (Kate), his nephew Lucas, his niece Hunter, his English bulldog Biscuit and countless friends and baseball colleagues. He was preceded in death by his mother Sherilynn Hathaway.

A celebration of life will be held at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, Florida on January 16, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Flowers are welcome and can be sent to 1117 W. Willow Run Drive, Port Orange, Florida 32129, or donations can be made to the Transplant Life Foundation in Chad’s memory. The family encourages you to consider giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor. For more information, visit organdonor.gov.

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