Cory L. Dardenne

Cory Leigh Dardenne, 31, finished his race on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018. After an intense and valiant battle with cancer, he left this world gently, surrounded by peace and loved ones. From his first day to his last, he was unreservedly brave, unflinchingly dignified, and heroically unselfish, even in the face of great suffering and loss. He leaves an enduring legacy of love, courage, and strength to all who knew him.

Service: Cory's life was celebrated in a private ceremony on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, the Helping Hands Foundation, or to any charity of your choice that makes this world a better place, like he did.

Cory was born in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 18, 1987, the last of four children in his family. As he grew up, he was a constant source of laughter and always brought joy to his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.

He graduated from Northeast Christian Academy in Kingwood in 2006, where he enjoyed playing football, basketball, track, and providing leadership to a state championship baseball team. The son of a coach, Cory was a constant athlete and a ferocious but fair competitor.

His developing interest in history and politics led him to Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where he continued to play baseball and run track. He eventually focused on track, culminating in a team conference championship in 2010.

After graduation, Cory moved to Fort Worth. He taught and coached at Dunbar High School before becoming a key account manager at C.H. Robinson.

One of the great joys of his life was playing rugby, with both the Fort Worth Rugby Club and Bonobo Rugby. And it was rugby, and Fort Worth, that led him to the true love of his life: Katie Rompre.

Their love was — and is — transcendent. Romps and Dizzle became inseparable, and they always will be. They were married in a private ceremony on April 29, 2018, and then celebrated their marriage with a suitably raucous party in Madison, Wisconsin on Sept. 22, 2018. Their fierce love and commitment to each other is an inspiration to all who know Cory or Katie.

Cory's family wishes to thank Dr. Stephen Richey and Dr. John Birbari, who dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to his care, and also the nursing staff at Bright Star, especially Laurel and Amy, who provided such loving, expert care to Cory during his final days.

Cory is survived by his wife, Katie Rompre Dardenne; his mother, Marilyn Brown Dardenne; his brother, Richard James Dardenne Jr.; his sister Sarah Faulkenberry Chappell; his brother Thomas Aaron Faulkenberry; the "Dardi": his uncle, Jay Dardenne, aunt, Cathy Dardenne, cousins, John and Matthew Dardenne, and Matt's wife, Corey Shircliff; numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who loved him as he loved them; and Tex and Juan. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard James Dardenne.