Colton James Gaddy

Colton James Gaddy of Blue Springs, Missouri lost his battle to addiction with an accidental overdose on Monday, January 30th, 2023. He was only 21 years old. We want to share his story in the hope that lives may be saved. Nobody plans to be an addict and no one thinks they’ll ever overdose.

Colton was born on January 7th, 2002. He was a week early and has done things his way since then. He had a huge heart. He always had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. Colton was also highly intelligent, loving, kind, charming, and handsome. People were immediately drawn to him when he walked into a room. Colton had an immense love of music of all genres, being outside in nature, and the calming vibes of being near the ocean. He was often referred to as an “old soul”. His laugh was contagious.

As a young man, Coton enjoyed running track, competing in the high jump and riding his bike around town to visit his numerous friends. He was an avid collector of arrowheads and had perfected the art of tie-dye. He loved to cook and make gourmet food for his friends and family. Most recently, he had fallen in love with working out and building up his muscles.He graduated from Valley View High School in 2020 and then went to work for FedEx for a bit.

Colton’s fentanyl addiction was the toughest battle by far that he ever endured. He had recently completed a recovery program and was so proud of himself. He graduated from that program full of hope with plans to go to school to work in addiction recovery healthcare and those hopes and plans were ripped away from him. He battled long and hard to fight this disease that finally took his life. The day Colton died, we died right along with him. We will miss him every day for the rest of our lives. The pain of his death is heartbreaking and intolerable, which is why stories like Colton’s should not be ignored. The only way we can conquer the fentanyl epidemic is to share our stories, raise awareness, and end the stigmatism.

Colton is survived by his loving parents Shoni(Andrews)DeBusk, Jeremy DeBusk and Eric Gaddy. Grandparents Theresa Froese, Larry and Jan Andrews, Jim and Lois Gaddy, and Great Grandpa Jerry Reilly. Brother Josh Littrell and Sister Ashton Gaddy. Uncles Ryan Tomlinson and John Gaddy and Aunt Andrea Williams. Along with numerous cousins, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his Grandpa Merle Froese and Great Grammy Patricia Reilly.

Colton’s Celebration of Life will be a private event. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DeNovo Recovery Center in memory of Colton, 2102 Village Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64506.