Charles Christian

Charles Charlie Edward Christian, 85 of Farwell, Texas passed away Monday, October 10, 2011 at the Farwell Convalescent Center following a one year fight with cancer. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. CST on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the First Baptist Church of Farwell with his son Gene Christian officiating. He will be buried at Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery in Farwell.

He was born on May 3, 1926 to Rochelle and Carra Christian of Oklahoma Lane, Texas. Charlie was raised in the community and lived all his life in the FarwellTexico area. His vocational love was farming and cattle production in both he invested his working life. His love for agriculture began while growing up on the family farm. The eldest son of a family of seven, he took on responsibility early as he kept the small farm going during an extended illness of his father with the help of relatives, friends and neighbors. These responsibilities limited his formal education to only the 8th grade.

At age 20 Charlie was drafted for military service in the Army making him an active participant of the Greatest Generation who served our country, providing the freedoms the rest of us have so richly enjoyed.

On returning home Charlie established own family farming operation and in the late sixties built a small custom feeding operation, Texico Feedlots, Inc., north of Texico. Despite his limited education the operation flourished until tragically, neardeath traffic accident in 1973 resulting in a severe head injury, was the beginning of a string of bad luck and poor crop years, from which his business career never recovered.

Charlie was an easy going, funloving man whose outgoing personality attracted others and made friends easily. He met a funloving and outgoing woman. Beverly Ann Lovelace and they were married November 15, 1955 and together until Beverlys sudden death in 1972, they raised two children, Gene and Paula, in the Farwell community.

Charlie will best be remembered by his outgoing personality his welcoming smile, his distinct laugh, his warm kindness and his optimistic outlook on life. He never met a stranger and could strike up a friendly conversation with anyone anywhere. He was always approachable, not just by family, friends and neighbors, but acquaintances, business associates and employees. His warm smile and friendly personality attracted anyone who wanted to converse for any reason. Thus for many be became a source of wisdom and guidance, for others a friend in whom they could confide, yet others a kind man who always made them feel welcome in his presence. One person responding to the news of his imminent passing remarked: Charlie touched my life with his kindness to me. I will never ever forget that good man.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Lovelace Christian, his parents, one brother, Bill Christian.

Surviving are his son and daughter, Gene Sherry Christian, formerly of Farwell, now of Brownwood, TX, and Paula Thomas of Howe, TX two grandsons, Aaron Christian of Houston, TX, Cade Christian Michele Littlejohn of Brighton CO, Three granddaughters, Kyra Evan Owen of Brownwood, TX, Maegan and Meredith Thomas of Howe, TX a sister, Mary S.B. Crain of Amarillo, TX two brothers John Norma Christian of Raymondville, TX and Gerald Doris Christian of Austin, TX a brotherinlaw, Tom Lovelace of Clovis, NM and a sisterinlaw Marie Christian of Texico, NM. IN addition are the many nephews, nieces, and cousins as well as the close friends and neighbors at his apartment and the kind hospice staff who loved him and cared for him during the past year. Sadly, Charlie will miss the arrival of his first greatgrandchild who is expected in March.

The Farwell, Texico community benefited from the life of Charlie Christian, economically, social, and for those who knew him personally. He was a hard worker, a good husband and father, a close friend to many and a good man to all. He will be missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to any local church for bibles, hymnals, etc.

Family will receive visitors on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 1009 York St. in Clovis, NM, anytime between 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of SteedTodd Funeral Home Cremation, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, New Mexico 575 7635541. You may also sign the guestbook online at www.steedtodd.com .

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