Gunnery Sergeant Cordy Michael Gaeta-Rice

Gunnery Sergeant Cordy Michael Gaeta-Rice, USMC (Ret.), passed away at his home in Wellsville, Kansas, on May 16, 2025, at the age of 42. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1PM, Monday, May 26, 2025 at Milestone Events in Wellsville. Private military burial services will take place at a later date at Wellsville Cemetery.

Cordy was born on July 13, 1982, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He grew up in the countryside, where curiosity was his compass and every day offered a new adventure. Surrounded by his five brothers, and spending summers with his older brother and younger sisters, he learned the value of resilience, teamwork, and a deep connection to nature. From building forts in the woods to racing bikes down dirt roads, his childhood was defined by exploration and boundless imagination. Those early years shaped his fearless spirit and laid the foundation for the leader, protector, and adventurer he would become. He brought that same deep sense of loyalty, commitment, and heart to every aspect of his life—from his family to his community to his service.

In August 2003, Cordy answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He dedicated 20 years and 4 days of honorable service, with duty stations including Camp Schwab and Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan; San Antonio, Texas; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Camp Pendleton, California; and Boise, Idaho. Over the course of his military career, he served as a Personnel Clerk (4 years), a Transmissions Communicator and Chief (12 years), and a Marine Corps Recruiter (4 years).

Cordy’s service took him across the globe, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan—where he earned two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and two Combat Action Ribbons. He also completed non-combat deployments in Africa, Cuba, and Norway.

Cordy was a true adventurer at heart, always chasing the next horizon. Whether it was roaring down the highway on his motorcycle, diving into the deep blue with the Neptune Warrior and Pottawatomie Dive Teams, or freefalling through the sky with a parachute strapped to his back, he lived for adrenaline and the raw beauty of the unknown. He never hesitated to push boundaries or try something new, and his zest for life was infectious. Cordy thrived in extremes—beneath the waves, above the clouds, or around a bonfire with his closest friends and family. His courage, curiosity, and hunger for adventure defined him just as much as his service and sacrifice.  Above all, he cherished time spent with his friends and family.

Cordy is survived by his loving parents, Jerry “Dusty” and Christy Rice of Wellsville, KS; his siblings Mark Moody of Belton, MO; Gerald “Jerry” and Jessica Whisthoff of Leavenworth, KS; Tory and Amy Rice of Wellsville, KS; Dustin and Kristin Rice of Wellsville, KS; Colton Rice and Michael Ritzel of Olathe, KS; Jonathan Roby of Wellsville, KS; Katie Gotcher and Shelby Gotcher of Oklahoma City, OK; and Jerry “Trey” and Tamalei Rice of Wellsville, KS.
He leaves behind his beloved children: Daniel Strom of Kansas City, MO; Dryden Rodella of Grand Rapids, MI; and Vincent and Arabella Gaeta of New Braunfels, TX.  He was also the proud grandfather of Tuesday and Jameson, and uncle to many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Rose Gotcher (Gaeta).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Cordy’s name to K9s for Warriors, an organization dedicated to helping veterans overcome the invisible wounds of war. Please include Cordy's name as a memorial gift. The organization will track donations made in his honor and present certificates to his children.

While Cordy ultimately lost his battle with PTSD, his story does not end here. Through your support, his legacy will live on—bringing hope, healing, and a second chance to other veterans who need it.

To donate, visit: https://donate.k9sforwarriors.org or find K9s for Warriors on social media.

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