Gerald Alan Christenson

Gerald Alan ("Chris, Jerry") Christenson (Lt. Col., USAF, Retired), died of pancreatic cancer at home in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, July 27, 2013. He passed peacefully and was surrounded continually by family and friends in the weeks preceding his death at age 71.

He was born in Oakes, Dickey County, North Dakota, where he grew up, worked on his family's farm, and completed his primary education. After graduating from Oakes High School in 1960, he attended the Wahpeton State School of Science and subsequently enlisted in the United States Air Force in November 1961. He completed technical training at Keesler AFB, MS and was assigned to Anchorage, Alaska. From there, he went to the University of Colorado where he earned a BS in Manpower & Production Management. After graduation, he was accepted into Officer Training School, Lackland AFB, Texas. Following college graduation, he had assignments at Frances E. Warren Wyoming, Goodfellow AFB San Angelo, Texas, Survival Training School Washington, Yakota AB Japan (SE Asia & Korea), Itazuke Japan (SE Asia & Korea), and Foreign Technology, Wright Patterson AFB Ohio. He then stayed at WPAFB to earn his Masters degree in Systems & Logistics from Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), for which he received the Commandant's award for the most outstanding thesis. His military career continued with assignments to Kelly AFB, Texas, the ALD at WPAFB Dayton OH, Seoul Korea, International Logistics Center and Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISAM) at WPAFB. He retired from the Air Force February 1986. Following his military career, he went to work as an Operations Director for ARINC both in Dayton OH and Warner Robins GA until he retired in August 1999.

Chris will be remembered foremost as a father and a patriot who loved his family and the United States of America above all else. He proved that love through a lifetime of dedication and service. He and Linda often vacationed with one or more of their children and maintained homes with much more space than they needed, "just in case someone dropped in and wanted to stay for a few days." Of course, those that did stay always found the cooler well stocked and the meals bountiful - Chris and Linda were first-class hosts.

Chris also loved watersports, fishing and golf. He bought and restored his first boat, the "Jomanakiki", which was named using the first two letters of each child's name in 1977. Later, he upgraded to a newer boat that had more horsepower to allow all five children to waterski simultaneously behind the boat at Lake Cumberland, Kentucky. Chris also loved to fish, frequently visiting local lakes with family and friends but always first spending hours of advance preparation of his fishing gear. Memorable golf vacations included Tucson AZ, San Diego CA, Gatlinburg TN, Panama City Beach FL plus many other local and surrounding courses.

Chris was a very strong, purposeful and religious man, who instilled diligent values in his children, foremost leading by example. He was not afraid of hard work and was motivated by challenges. Any task accomplished by family effort was worth far more than that paid to any tradesman.

Finally, no one who spent any length of time with Chris could forget his other two loves: music (particularly the offerings of Willie Nelson, whether solo or paired with another artist), and humor (especially jokes that concerned the life of his two favorite Northerners, Ole and Lena).

Chris is survived by his wife, Linda Christenson (of San Antonio), two daughters: Angela Gustafson (of Smyrna, Georgia) & Kimberly Bedford Prater (of San Antonio), and three sons: Mark Christenson (of San Antonio), Kirk Christenson (of Avondale Estates, Georgia) & John Bedford (of San Antonio); as well as a sister, Marlene Gasper (of Lancaster, California), a brother, Ronald Christenson (of Oakes, North Dakota), nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a remarkable husband, father, brother, soldier, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all whom he touched. May he rest in peace.

Our family would like to share with you the details of the arrangements that have been made:

Visitation and Viewing

Thursday, August 1, 2013 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: Porter Loring Mortuary (Chapel)

2102 North Loop 1604 East

San Antonio, TX 78232

(210) 495-8221

www.porterloring.com

Memorial Service & Military Burial Ceremony

Friday, August 2, 2013 from 9:30am to 11:45am

The memorial service will be begin at 9:30am and will take place at the Porter Loring Chapel. The escorted funeral procession will depart Porter Loring between 10:30am-10:45am and proceed to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach in San Antonio. The military burial ceremony will commence at 11:15am.

Post-Burial Gathering

Immediately following the burial, the family invites you to join us at our home in Evans Ranch for food, fellowship and remembrance.

If you choose, memorial donations can be made on behalf of the Gerald A. "Chris" Christenson Family to:

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

www.fallenheroesfund.org

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund serves United States military personnel wounded or injured in service to our nation, and their families. Supporting these heroes helps repay the debt all Americans owe them for the sacrifices they have made in service to our nation. They are, in the words of our founder, the late Zachary Fisher, "our nation's greatest national resource," and they deserve all the help that our nation can provide. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a leader in meeting this important national mission. We know that Dad would be honored to have our Nation's fallen heroes recognized in his memory.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

www.stjude.org

Cancer has touched our lives indelibly; the thought of a child enduring a battle with cancer is heart wrenching. Dad and Linda have supported St. Jude for decades, even long before cancer touched our lives. The mission of St. Jude is to find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment. And no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.

Atlanta Pet Rescue & Adoption

www.atlantapetrescue.org

Atlanta Pet Rescue & Adoption (APRA) is a non-profit,

no-kill shelter dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and cats so they can be adopted into safe and loving forever homes. APRA is the shelter where Dad & Linda's beloved Delaney came from. Without APRA, Delaney would have never found his way into the lives and hearts of our family.