Family, Friends Say Goodbye to Gun Range Victim

Family and friends said goodbye on Friday to a husband and father who was gunned down at a shooting range last weekend.

Funeral services were held for Chad Littlefield at the First Baptist Church in Midlothian on Friday afternoon.

Littlefield and best-selling author and former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle were shot to death at a Glen Rose gun range on Saturday. Eddie Ray Routh, a Marine reservist, has been charged in their deaths.

Friends described Littlefield as a hard-working, fun-loving and dependable friend, father and husband.

Kenny Lowman, First Baptist Church pastor, said he has known Littlefield's wife, Leanne, for 20 years and officiated their wedding.

"He loved the Lord, was a great friend to many and lived a life worthy of following," he said.

"All week long, we've probably received more calls than at any other time in the history of our church, and it really is a testament to the Littlefield family and the Kyle family, their impact on this community," said Michael Nichols, the church's executive pastor.

The high school baseball team of Littlefield's nephew showed up in uniform.

"It's very devastating," Palmer High School baseball coach Rusty Blankenship said. "It reaches everywhere. We're a small town in Palmer where everybody knows everybody, and it's just very important for us to be there for him."

Pam Harris, who is close friends with his parents, said they have been strong in dealing with their son's shocking death.

"You couldn't love a son any more -- just terrific people," she said.

An estimated 200 Patriot Guard riders escorted the family to Mount Zion Cemetery for a private burial.

The group usually attends funerals for military veterans and service members but made a rare exception. A Patriot Guard rider who was friends with Littlefield said they wanted to honor him for trying to a veteran when he was killed.

"When the spouse had asked -- even though Chad was not in the military -- if we could be here, how could you say no?" Patriot Guard ride captain Carlton Emmons said.

Littlefield, who would have turned 36 on Monday, is survived by his wife and daughter.

He and Kyle were at the Rough Creek Lodge gun range on Saturday to help Eddie Ray Routh, a veteran and Marine reservist. Routh's family says he was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Investigators say Routh shot Littlefield and Kyle multiple times at the gun range.

Routh's brother-in-law told police the day of the shooting that Routh said he killed two people while out shooting target practice because "he couldn't trust them so he killed them before they could kill him," according to a Texas Ranger search warrant. The brother-in-law told police that Routh said he couldn't trust anyone and that everyone was out to get him, according to the document.

Arlington police are anticipating anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 people for Monday's memorial service at Cowboys Stadium for former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle.

As NBC 5 first reported, Kyle will be buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. On Tuesday, a 200-mile procession is planned for when Kyle makes his way to his final resting place.

A trust fund for the families of both victims has been established. The public can make donations at the website of Kyle's company, Craft International.

More: Supporting the families of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed statements Eddie Ray Routh allegedly made to his brother-in-law as statements that he made to detectives. NBC 5 regrets the error.

Contact Us