James Wyman Christiansen

James (Jim) Wyman Christiansen Ph.D. loving husband, brother, uncle, avid reader, sports fan and political aficionado, passed away at the age of 79 on October 11, 2015 at the Health South Rehabilitation Center. Jim was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 8, 1936 to Francis Wyman Christiansen and Alta Bates Christiansen. Jim was the first of six children and was always looked up to by his siblings. He attended elementary school in New Jersey as his father pursued his Ph.D. degree at Princeton University. He also spent many summers living in Bryce Canyon while his father was a park ranger. His teenage years were spent at the family home in East Millcreek.

Jim attended the University of Utah where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a Master's Degree in Sociology. He received a Ph.D. in Sociology from Brigham Young University.

Jim started playing the trumpet at a young age. He played in the Granite High School Band, University of Utah Marching and Pep Bands and spent 20 years playing in the Murray Concert Band. He also played in the Utah Army Reserves 96th Division Band.

He met his sweetheart Susan Lee Santistevan on a blind date. They were married July 31, 1970 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were constant companions during their 45 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling, spectator sports, watching Jeopardy and the Animal Planet, raising two poodles and especially playing Blackjack.

Jim taught elementary school in the Granite School District and spent 25 years working in the Salt Lake County Personnel Department. During his 25 year career he served the first three years as the Executive Director of the Fire Civil Service Commission and the last 22 years as the Executive Director of the Sheriff's Merit Service Commission.

Jim served an LDS mission in Denmark.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife Susan, his brother William Joseph Christiansen, three sisters, Kathleen Jill (Ric Fornelius) Hall, Sara Joan (Don) Winn, Mary Colleen Freeman and sister in law Nanette Santistevan Noble. Jim had 24 nieces and nephews. He rejoiced in their accomplishments and mourned the death of two.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Flora Jean Johnson, brothers in law Art Gordon Freeman and Bailey J Santistevan.

Funeral services on Saturday, October 17th, 2015 at 11:00 am Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, October 16th, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Wasatch Lawn Memorial and 1 hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Utah Food Bank, 3150 S 900 W Salt Lake City, Utah 84119.