Eddie Christian, Jr.

Eddie Christian Jr., 48, of Fort Smith passed away Monday, August 9, 2010 in Fort Smith. He was an attorney at Christian & Byars Law Firm in Fort Smith. He graduated from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville Law School with his Juris Doctor and admitted to the State Bar of Arkansas in 1988. He was admitted to practice before the Arkansas Supreme Court, U.S. courts of Appeal for the 8th &10th Circuits, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Arkansas Bar Association, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the American Lawyers Association.

Eddie was a gifted and talented trial attorney who excelled at gathering and discovering every minute detail of the facts, and committing those facts to memory. He could then master the organization and presentation of the case in a very skilled and powerful way, all the while having a good time doing it. He had a confidence his clients could see and feel, making them feel glad to have him as their advocate. He would fight to the very end with all he had.

Eddie also had substantial success with appellate cases, writing many appellate briefs before the Arkansas Court of Appeals and the Arkansas Supreme Court. He was involved in no fewer than seven cases in which the Court issued published opinions.

Eddie was also involved around town serving on the Board of Directors and past president of the Town Club, and Member of the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce.

He supported Ducks unlimited, and was an avid hunter. He knew where the ducks were, and could carry a 100 pound bag of decoys through the woods like he was carrying nothing but his lunch. It was hard to keep up with Eddie sometimes. He had an energy and drive that few people had. As a young man, he loved the game of tennis, baseball, and basketball and was quite an athlete in all of those sports. More recently, Eddie enjoyed working out at Marvin Altman Fitness Center.

His friends knew they could always count on him to make any gathering a positive and fun experience. It has been repeated often lately, but it is true- Eddie was a loyal friend to all.

Memorial Service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2010 at First United Methodist Church with a private family burial at Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife Sara and his daughter Regan Christian both of the home; his parents: Betty and Eddie Christian Sr., of Fort Smith; one sister: Gerri Ellen and her husband Dennis Adams of Fort Smith, and one niece Ryann Adams of Fort Smith.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Crawford, Greg Spurlock, Dan Beshears, Joe D. Byars, John David Terry, Bill Neumeier, Bob Brooks, and Terry Schonert.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Martfeld, Brent McGruder, Russ Basham, Jay Stringfellow, David Curry, Chuck White, John Hall, Paul Henson, Greg Holland, and Steve Knight.

Family will visit with friends Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic School Att: Sharon Blentlinger 223 North 14th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

To place an online tribute please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com