After a brave 18 month battle with brain cancer, Chris died peacefully in his North Richland Hills home surrounded by his family on April 5, 2018. He was 62.
Chris was born on December 27, 1955 in Buffalo, NY to Richard and Dorothy Allaire. He was the sixth in what would become a family of thirteen children. His childhood was spent in western New York where he married his high school sweetheart, Betsy in 1975. He joined the Navy and was stationed in Scotland and later Spain. After he left the Navy, the young family moved to Plano, Texas and remained in the metroplex for the next 38 years.
Chris found his love of learning as an adult and at age 30 he earned his Associates Degree followed by his Bachelor's, and finally his Master’s at the age of 58. He worked at GE for a total of 28 years, owned a Tupperware franchise with his wife, and taught classes at various local technical and community colleges. His final employer, Shermco, recognized Chris’ gift for connecting with adult students. The company was supportive of Chris professionally and gave him many opportunities to share his talent for teaching. And throughout his illness, they were a source of compassion and generosity that gave him tremendous peace. He was an active member of The Hills Church, a community of faith that rallied around him and his family throughout his illness. His favorite bible verse was how he ended his correspondences: Love Never Fails.
Chris enjoyed reading, sailing, kayaking, serving others and spending time with his large family. He was silly and smart and enjoyed the same qualities in his grandchildren. He lived his life in service of others. His legacy includes leadership as a volunteer chaplain for the Tarrant County Jail, a mentor for a homeless ministry, mission trips, visiting elderly neighbors at their nursing homes. Aside from his family, his greatest joy was teaching GED classes and helping his students change the course of their lives through building their confidence and their knowledge. His contributions were deep and his absence will be felt by many.
SURVIVORS: He is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years Betsy; children Jenny and Jeremy Remington of Austin, Stephanie and James Flores of Carrollton, and Chris and Karon Allaire of North Richland Hills; grandchildren Avery, Annabelle, Reid, Carly, Faith, Tate and Hudson; siblings Richard, Barry, Dianne, Jeff, Mary Pat, Steven, Matt, Leslie, Andy, Maggie and Alex; and many nieces, nephews, and sisters- and brothers-in-law. He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Dorothy Allaire and his brother, Maury.
FUNERAL: 2pm Tuesday, April 10 at The Hills Church in North Richland Hills. Visitation: The family will receive friends Monday 6-8 pm at Shannon Funeral Chapel in Watauga. A small family ceremony will be held at a later date at the National Cemetery in Grand Prairie, where he will be laid to rest.
