Christopher John Mazih

Christopher John Mazih, 51, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 30, 2015. He passed away at his home in Cartersville, Georgia, following a courageous battle against multiple serious health challenges.

The youngest son of Dorothy Giles Mazih and the late Samuel S. Mazih, Chris was born in Atlanta on April 10, 1964, and grew up in Doraville, Georgia. Following his graduation from Sequoyah High School in 1983, Chris served for three years in the U.S. Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and was deployed to Korea, where he served along the DMZ. He was later assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, and participated in the cleanup effort following the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens.

After his discharge from active duty, he returned to the Atlanta area and rejoined the staff of Commercial Landscape & Design in Cumming, Georgia, where he had worked part time as a student. He remained a valued employee there until 2008.

Following the death of his father in 2007, Chris made the decision to sell his house in Cumming and move to his parents’ home in Cartersville in order to assist and be a companion to his mother. He worked as an independent landscaper and later was employed by Publix, where he worked until just two weeks before his death. More importantly, he also spent many hours serving as a surrogate grandfather to his great-niece and nephew, Emma and Maverick Adams.

The family agrees that it was this last phase of his life that will serve as his legacy. Chris’ sacrificial care for his mother during this time was an immeasurable blessing to the entire family, and his impact on the lives of the children he cared for will endure. Chris had a quiet and humble nature, as well as a wonderful sense of humor, and had a special way with children. He was much loved by everyone in his family.

In addition to his mother, Dorothy, Chris is survived by his brothers, Joe (Judie) and Sam (Melody), and sisters Julie Mazih Cantrell (Victor), Toni Mazih Adams (Brian), Gina Mazih Dean (David), Laura Mazih Purdue (Eric), and Michele Mazih Felts; their children Helen (Travis), Crystal (Isaac), Joey (Jenny), Michael, Hannah, Amanda (Michael), David, Jaimi (Warren), Brandon (Natalie), Tori, John, Jeffery (Chasidy), Eric Jr., John “Louie” (Nika), Vanessa (Trevor), Adam (Chelcia), Ashley, Eli, and Alex, and many great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rome, Georgia. If desired, donations may be made in memory of Chris to the American Kidney Fund http://www.kidneyfund.org/ or American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.

Owen Funeral Home in Cartersville is handling the arrangements.