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Slideshow: Hundreds mourn Seacroft's Adam Chadwick
Mourners bid farewell to Seacroft dad Adam Chadwick who was gunned down on his sister's doorstep.
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The 20-year-old's parents Martin and Jackie and sister Gemma led the emotional gathering at the Church of the Venerable Bede in Greenhill Road, Bramley.
Detectives are still hunting the three masked gunmen who gunned down Adam, known as "Chad", at his sister's home in Harehills 38 days ago.
Adam, who lived in Seacroft and has a daughter Ruby, three, died in hospital days after the June 24 shooting in Clifton Mount.
Sadly his ailing grandfather also died 48 hours later.
Adam's father told the congregation: "Adam was just, I believe, an average man doing what he needed in life to pay his way, look after his daughter, and have fun.
"Reading the tributes made me realise what a happy carefree person he was.
"Like any father, Adam sometimes frustrated me but he still made me smile even though I was annoyed. I can still see him saying 'chill dad' with that big grin on his face."
He added: "When they shot Adam they changed not just mine and Jackie's lives, but Gemma and her boyfriend's life, the life of Ruby, and her family's life.
"We all feel we have to start again and rebuild a different life without Adam."
Adam's uncle David Robinson also addressed the congregation.
He said : "If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again.
"No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it and God only knows why."
Other tributes came from Gerald Wilson, coach for Armley Juniors Football Club, who said: "Adam was an outstanding young man who will be fondly remembered by us all."
Richard Garbutt, a close friend of Adam, added: "Chad will forever be missed but I know in the right time, I will meet Chad again. We will all meet Chad again and he'll make us laugh in tears again."
The Rev Gordon Cooper led the service.
He said Adam, nicknamed "Chad or Chadders", went to Armley Primary and Wortley High schools where he was known for his perpetual smile.
Later he had worked as a hairdresser where her met Hayley with whom he had Ruby and then worked as a carpet fitter.
Mr Cooper recalled Adam's love of soccer.
Adam played for various teams including Armley Juniors, The Nook, Wortley, and Leeds City Boys', Guiseley Academy and Wortley Old Boys and playing rugby for West Leeds, Milford and Leeds and District.
He spoke of Adam's pride at becoming a father, his sensitivity toward people and his love of fashion which led other football team mates waiting to see his latest hair style and colour.
Mr Cooper said: "He had an image to keep up and was always smart. He was a Beckham without the millions, but you couldn't have wanted to meet a nicer guy".
After the vicar's address Puff Daddy's Every Breath You Take rang out.
The service began with the Leeds United hit song A Football in a Yorkshire Rose by Kevin Smith and including a Bible reading from 1st Corinthians, the poem Too Soon by Mary Yarnall.
Prior to the coffin leaving for a private interment at Armley Hill Top Cemetery to the music The World's Greatest four candles were symbolically lit before prayers and the blessing.
During the graveside committal the music I will always love You was played.
In addition to the three masked gunmen who killed Adam, police are still seeking a mystery woman who had called at his sisters' and neighbouring houses seeking a "Michelle" before the shooting.
Call police on 0845 6060606.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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