Gerald "Jerry" Wayne Christman

Gerald Wayne Christman, 79, passed away on August 2, 2026. He was born on March 3, 1947, in Phoenix, Arizona, to William and Lylda Christman. Born and raised in Arizona, Gerald “Jerry” spent his life in the place he loved most, remaining close to the landscapes and communities that shaped him.

A proud member of the Teamsters union, Jerry built his career behind the wheel as an Arizona truck driver, working hard and living simply. The Arizona horizon suited him—steady, honest work carried out with quiet dedication, and a deep familiarity with the routes and back roads that crisscrossed the state he knew so well. After years of serving local routes, Arizona became not just his home, but a map of memories—every hidden turn and long stretch of highway part of the life he made.

Jerry took great pride in caring for the yard of the home his own father built, a place where he lived the majority of his life and where his roots ran deep. He was happiest outside under the Arizona sky, surrounded by the land he understood and respected. An avid hunter and fisherman with a natural talent for both, he found peace in the quiet rhythm of the outdoors and the steady comfort of time spent in nature.

He also cherished long phone conversations with his lifelong friends, keeping those bonds strong across the years. In those calls lived the enduring value he placed on loyalty, shared history, and the simple gift of staying connected.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marion Christman, and his daughter, Susan Failner.

He lived a humble life but a full one, shaped by friendship, open roads, and the rugged beauty of the state he never left.