Landon Evans Christian

Landon Evans “Chris” Christian died peacefully on Tuesday March 23, 2021. Chris was born on September 7, 1923 in Richmond, the younger son of Fleming and Byrle Christian. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Like so many of his generation, he heeded his country's call to service in World War II and joined the Marines in 1944. He coupled a love for flying with his military service, qualifying as a pilot of the famed Corsair fighter plane. He often listed earning those “wings of gold” and landing on an aircraft carrier as among his greatest accomplishments. In 1946, he met Hilda Hankins on a blind date. They married at Monumental Church on October 5, 1946, raised two daughters, and enjoyed 71 years together, until her death in 2017. After World War II, Chris continued his time in the Marines, serving on the ground in Korea during that war. He left the Marine Corps in 1956 and began a civilian career, working as an insurance adjuster for USF&G until he retired. Over the years, he and Hilda lived in various Marine Corps communities and several places in the Commonwealth. They returned to Richmond in 2011. Chris was a regular and active communicant at Episcopal churches in the towns he lived in, especially St. Thomas' Church in Abingdon, VA and St. Elizabeth's Church in Roanoke, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Fleming, and his loving wife, Hilda. He is survived by his two daughters and their husbands: Martha Christian Santoro (Michael) of Midlothian, and Julie Christian Michael (Hal) of Williamsburg. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Sally Cunningham, David Michael, Mary Catherine Santoro, and Anne Loomis, as well as 7 great-grandchildren. Chris was an avid hobbyist and, at various times, made model airplanes, built a model railroad, collected stamps, and created numerous needlework items for his home and family. For many years, he happily spent hours in his woodshop and "putter room," sometimes accompanied by a "helpful" grandchild or two. He could often be found working jigsaw or crossword puzzles, and shared his love of music with his family. A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 12 noon at the Virginia War Memorial . Online condolences can be left at www.woodyfuneralhomehuguenot.com. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his memory to the Virginia War Memorial Foundation, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond VA 23220.