Christoper Thomas Fortner was born August 20, 1977 to Cindy Osborne and David Fortner in Sherman, Texas. He passed away July 23, 2026 at his home in McKinney, Texas. He was 48.

Chris was a lively, playful child. Growing up, Chris was never short on ways to keep everyone entertained. There were the "tripping karate" matches in their grandparents' living room that inevitably ended with someone tumbling into the coffee table — and probably a stern "talking to" from Granny, or once, even a visit from the ambulance. There were epic pillow-boxing championships, plenty of basketball and 4 downs football games with his three uncles, and the BB gun "hunts," where he'd make his siblings bundle up in layer after layer of clothes for "safety," then take off after them around the yard. He and his siblings also showed miniature horses for their grandparents — never, ever call them ponies, a mistake you only made once in Granny's presence. And of course there was Granny's pool, where it all started with him riding under the water on his uncle's back, and eventually graduated to him helping Granny teach swimming lessons. Some of his longest friendships were made in that pool.

Chris had a natural connection with technology. From a young age, he had a passion for learning how things work and had a knack for finding good-natured trouble. Whether he was taking apart his expensive, 1980’s era robot, or getting special permission to do experiments in the science lab, “accidentally” setting off “explosive” reactions just as the teacher walked in, his inquisitive nature drove him to constantly ask questions and learn new things. Later on in high school, he helped convince the computer science teacher to let them run internet to the computer lab, making it possible to use dial-up and build the school’s first ever official website. He continued to explore and learn as a young adult, getting a job at an auto repair shop, where he actually got paid to take things apart and occasionally even put them back together. He learned many valuable skills and turned coworkers into lifelong family. For most of his adult life, he made a living using the tech stuff he always enjoyed, channeling his natural talent into a paying gig. Most recently, you could find him tinkering with computers, doing tech support for family and friends, or building apps and testing AI. He never lost his curiosity.

Chris had a passion for the outdoors that spanned his whole life. As a young kid, you could find him armed with his own cooking pan and ready for an adventure. Weekends often meant camping out in the woods with his siblings, building fires, and telling stories under the stars until someone chickened out and wanted to go home. But whether with family or with his scouting group, he never missed a chance to spend time in nature. As he got older, he enjoyed wandering around the country on the back roads and through the mountains, with or without company and his many well-worn maps. He loved the outdoors and fishing, but as his gear collection grew, his idea of "roughing it" evolved into packing everything but the kitchen sink. Several times, he took off to a cabin or on a long road trip, hitting up small towns and tiny motels, camping and sitting next to fires. He claimed he hated people but he was known for making friends with strangers at dive bars along the way and could often be found looking out for people he just met. He loved discovering new music. Avoiding big concerts, he favored tiny, hole in the wall venues, more than once stumbling upon random concerts and discovering new bands he came to love. Sometimes he would even get “stuck” someplace, like the time he stumbled into the Hooligan “anything but a raft” whitewater rafting race in Gunnison, Colorado and stayed for 5 days when he was supposed to be wandering westward to a California wedding. [He made it just in the nick of time.] Last year, Chris saved up money and quit his job to travel around the country. Over the next 3 months, he sent home pictures and stories scattered around the ENTIRE western half of the country. He spent his last birthday back in that magical town of Gunnison. Chris loved long journeys to nowhere: he always took the long road because the journey was just as important as the destination.

Chris was super proud of the daughter he leaves behind. He and Skyler shared a sarcastic sense of humor and a fierce, no nonsense attitude. He taught her to stand up for herself and others. He and Sky also loved being in the kitchen together, but while they both loved food, Skyler mastered the art of following recipes, a contrast to her father, who believed instructions were more flexible suggestions than unbreakable rules. He also passed down to her his “love language” of gifting people with perfectly chosen, sarcastic or techie graphic Tshirts.

Chris leaves behind his daughter, Skyler Fortner and her partner Connor; his copilot in adventure, Sarah Hustwit and her husband Rob; mother and step-father, Cindy and Charles Osborne; father and step-mother, David and Angie Fortner; sisters Cara Sorenson and husband Jeff, and Jade Fortner; brothers, Cody Osborne, Dustin Fortner and wife Jessica, and Cole Fortner and wife Taylor; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Chris's upbringing was truly a family affair, shaped deeply by his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He leaves a hole in the hearts of his surviving grandmother, Faye LeDane; uncles Andrew LeDane and wife Jeannie, and Scott LeDane and wife Holly; aunt Danielle Ragsdale and husband Kevin, and aunt Teresa. He was preceded in death by his uncle William LeDane and a baby sister Stephanie, whom he really would have liked to meet. Chris also leaves behind a vast and close-knit circle of friends who will miss him dearly, including Bill Melton, Paul Aceto and his daughter Amber (Chris’s goddaughter), Josh “Fred” Sears, Kevin Ooten, and so many others. Our hearts are broken by the loss of you.

Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of Hagerman Wildlife Refuge, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, or National Parks Foundation.

 A Celebration of Life will be held 2-4PM Saturday, August 8th at Primrose Hill in Van Alstyne, TX 75495