With great sorrow, the Upp family announces the passing of our beloved, kind, amazing gift of a person, Chris A Upp, at the age of 49. Words that describe Chris overflow like a fountain from the mouths that knew him, as he lived a beautiful poetic life from start to end. Chris gained his angel wings on March 15, 2023.

Chris left his imprint on many people, and they were blessed to be touched by his heart, and his love and presence will far exceed the time he stayed on Earth with us.

Chris was born August 31st, 1973 in Springfield, MO to his father Dan A. Upp, and his mother Gail Upp. Chris was the older sibling to his brother, Jay, and his sister, Amy. He was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, and attended Parkview high school. At Parkview, he would find his High school sweetheart turned Love of his life, Jill Robbins. In high school he would find one of the passions of his life, singing, as he started doing barbershop quartet. He graduated from Parkview in 1991. In 1995, he began an internship at Conco Quarries, a place where he would work and became a general manager. He worked at Conco for an astounding 27 years. He graduated from the University of Missouri S&T in 1996, or at the time it was called the University of Missouri-Rolla. Later in 1996 he said ‘I do’ to the love of his life Jill, whom he proposed to via barbershop quartet.

He was a part of the MLPA (Missouri Limestone Producers Association) where at one point was the president, and served on many committees. He was also a part of several committees and boards for NSSGA (National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association). Other committees and boards he was a part of were such: Willard Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Chamber Transportation Committee, Habitat for Humanity board, and Missouri Teachers Workshops to name a few.

Chris was also a man of faith, and a member of Campbell United Methodist Church for over 30 years. There he would sing in the choir, teach Sunday school, volunteer with the youth group, children’s ministry, mission outreach, and many church wide activities.

More important than any committee, Chris was a caring, thoughtful, and loving dad to his 3 sons: Nathan, Tristan, and Ryan. He coached their baseball teams, watched them participate in sports, all while being the perfect role model and symbol of strength and positive masculinity for them. Chris and Jill had an adoring love for each other. They truly shared a special strength in their marriage that showed to others they were a strong team together, always supporting and cheering each other on.

Chris loved to golf with anyone willing to golf with him, he loved traveling and experiencing the world, he loved vacationing with his family, and having yearly trips with his friends. He was captain of his very own boat on Table Rock Lake, loved watching football, golf and baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals.

The most admiring thing about Chris was his strength and will. Chris fought a battle with Kidney Cancer for almost 9 years. The average person that didn’t know him, wouldn’t have guessed in their wild dreams that Chris was fighting a battle of such weight, but his character and soul was what touched people, not his body. His intelligence, thoughtfulness, and strong soul will never be forgotten by the many people that he impacted for 49 years.

Chris was preceded in death by his father Dan A. Upp. He is survived by his wife Jill, and his three sons, Nathan, Tristan, and Ryan Upp, his mother Gail Upp, his brother Jay Upp (Angela), and his sister Amy Bollinger (Kevin). He is also survived by his in- laws, who he shared a special closeness with: mother-in-law Wanda Robbins, Matt and Sheila Anderson, Mike and Tara Robbins, Jeff and Tonia Robbins and Dennis and Lezlie Robbins. Chris cherished his family and had a deep love for his nieces and nephews: Evan Anderson, Olivia Anderson, Tori Turner (Andrew), Ashlie Robbins, Dalton Robbins, Torie Hunt (Conner), Kylie Robbins (Haley),

Kelsey Clem (Austin), Tino Robbins (Bailey), Brett Herring (Colin), Shane Robbins (Keshia), Micheal Upp, Sam Upp, Grace Upp, Titus Upp, Porter Bollinger and Cooper Bollinger. His love and soul lives on in so so many of his aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him too.

The visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. at Greenlawn East Funeral Home on Wednesday,

March 22nd, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held at Campbell United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 23rd 2023 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kidney Cancer Research Alliance, KcCure.org, an organization Chris felt strongly about.