Richard G. Christner
July 5, 1933 - February 1, 2018

Richard George "Chris" Christner was born at home on July 5, 1933 to John and Agnes Pickard Christner. He was born the fifth of 10 children and grew up on a farm in New London, Iowa. He attended New London Elementary school where he met a lifelong friend. She says that he was the strongest boy in school and always protected and cared for her. He called her a week before his death to talk with her one last time because he knew that he was very ill and wanted to say goodbye.

After leaving school he enlisted in the Air Force and married June. He was stationed in Grand Tour, Illinois until the Korean War when he was sent to fight in Korea.  After the war, he and June moved to Long Beach, California. There they raised three children: Rick, Kathy and Sheryl. Through Rick, Chris has one granddaughter named Brandi.  June and Chris later divorced, and in 1963 he moved to Colorado.

He loved Colorado and said he would never live anywhere else again (although his loyalty to the Oakland Raiders rather than the Broncos lasted a lifetime).

He met and married Leota on December 31, 1975. Leota also had three children: Myren, Debbie and Jody which became like his own. Through these children he has five grandchildren: Angela, Lisa, Shauna, Nicholas, and Brandon.

Chris lost his wife in December 2006. He spent his final years living at home with his grandson Nick and visiting with his granddaughters and great-grandchildren. Chris' final days were spent in the care of his daughter Jody.

He will be remembered as a man who was outspoken; a man who didn't mince words, but who had a kind heart. He loved to dance. His final dance was only two days before his death with a hospice nurse. He enjoyed a good football game and many a cold beer.

Chris is preceded in death by his parents John and Agnes; his wife Leota; his sons Myren and Rick; his two daughters Kathy and Sheryl; and his siblings Virginia, Basil, Howard, Doris and Darlene.

He leaves behind his daughters Debbie and Jody; daughter-in-law Tina; siblings: Homer, Patti, Bonnie and Loretta; as well as, his six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many others who lovingly called him gramps.

Funeral Service will be held, Thursday, February 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., at Tabor-Rice Funeral Home in Brighton Colorado, with a public visitation held prior, starting at noon.

To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.taborfuneralhome.com/obituary/richard-christner

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