Kaden Charles Rhoades

Kaden Rhoades, (27) passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in Englewood, CO. He was born on November 28, 1997 to Kimberly Rhoades in Denver, where he was raised. He attended Dakota Ridge High School, graduating class of 2016.

He was always active and adventurous. In his early years, his focus was on animals, specifically reptiles. His drive for research and investigation started with reptiles. Every spare moment was spent reading an article or chatting online with some renowned herpetologist. The house was home to many pet snakes, lizards, frogs, and tarantulas over the years. In high school, he started practicing jiu-jitsu and muay thai, and took a short turn at amateur boxing. He also loved cooking and sharing his creations with family and friends. He took several road trips through many U.S. cities and towns. His favorite city and foods were in New Orleans, LA. Everything he ate had to be seasoned with hot sauce of some sort. To honor the city, he named his two dogs, Gumbo and Cayenne.

In 2017, his courageous and adventurous spirit took him on a solo trip to Europe with just a backpack and 2 sets of clothes. He loved traveling through most of Eastern Europe. He fell in love with the Balkans and stayed in Serbia for a good portion of the time. He was outgoing and sociable, affable and friendly, and a great communicator, which resulted in making new friends on a daily basis. His passion for fighting for what is right drove his desire to write investigative journal articles during his travels. He had a passion for experiencing life in the moment. Early on during his hobo-like travels he met his best friend and traveling partner, who wrote the following:

Kaden stormed through the world, kicking up dust and broken glass. His soul was too tender for him to admit and so he was reckless, feral- a wildfire that often burned those who dared to call him a friend. 

But in the wreckage we shared - crashing through cities, falling into dawns - I saw the mercy in him. Compassion, fierce and honest. A dreamer's heart, bruised and buried beneath a fighter's fists. 

He was always going to fall - face first into the dirt, into trouble, into life. But it was the way he rose again, bloodied and grinning, that I loved most. 

Written by Dean Yates, photographer/poet/best friend. 

Cork, Ireland

Kaden would come back to Colorado periodically during his 5 years abroad to earn enough money to travel again. During these times, he worked as a line cook, chef, and a package delivery driver. He and his dog, Gumbo, moved back to Colorado in 2022, and he reunited with his old best friend from his jiu-jitsu days. Together, they shared many nights hanging out doing ‘guy things’, being wild, and having fun.

He most recently found his calling after becoming an EMT. He loved being on an ambulance. It required critical thinking, intense focus, provided purpose and fulfillment. He had plans to go to paramedic school in January and work 911 calls in the Denver area.

He is survived by: Kimberly Rhoades (mother), Dennis and Jennis Rhoades (grandparents), Doug and Amy Rhoades (uncle/aunt) and Kylie and Connor Rhoades (cousins).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution to one of the following charities. 

International - www.bellingcat.com/donate (Free Press, investigative journalism)

US -www.petsmartcharities.org (animal welfare)

Local - www.denverrescuemission.org (homeless assistance)