Baker City, Oregon
Camiel I. “Chris” Christian, 74, of Baker City died Sept. 15, 2002, at his home with his family by his side.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave. Rod Dickison will officiate. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the American Legion Club, No. 40, 2129 Second St.
Visitations will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Gray’s West & Co.
Chris, the second child of three, was born on Nov. 28, 1927, to Lewis J. Christian and Selma Van Doornbeldt at the family farm in Victor, Iowa. As the only son, Chris helped his mother run the family farm after his father’s death at a young age.
He went to school for a half day and then walked the three miles home to feed the bummer lambs. When Chris came of age, he joined the U.S. Air Force and began a career in communications.
He served our country for more than 20 years, participating in three wars: World War II, Vietnam and Korea. He retired from the military in April of 1971.
During his time in the Air Force, he traveled to many places around the world and he had a story to tell about every place he’d been. After returning to Baker City, he worked as a night jailer for the next 12 years. Chris will be missed greatly by his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Selma Christian; and a brother-in-law, Ralph Albert Jr.
Survivors include his daughter, Denise “D.J.” Riley, and her husband, Ted, of Baker City; grandchildren, Christopher and Hillary Pifher, Danielle Pifher and Rich Riley, all of Baker City; his beloved dog, Jessi, who meant so much to him; stepchildren, Richard Pierce of Seattle, Wash., Vickie Wallette of Spokane, Wash., Leslie Pierce of Grants Pass, Tanya Milanez of Boise, Shane and Tangie Colton of Emmett, Idaho, and Tom Pierce and Terry and Kimberly Suitter, all of Baker City; two sisters, Marie Albert of Ladora, Iowa, and Marcella Saylor of Brooklyn, Iowa; three nieces, Connie, Lori and Patty; and one nephew, Danny.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Chris Christian through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, September 20, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor