Dr. Leo Christian

Dr. Leo M. Christian, 95, died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society Las Cruces Village in Las Cruces, NM, early Saturday, March 26, 2011. He was born Leo Christian in Fresno, CA on September 22, 1915 to the late Henry Christian, Sr. and Marie Katrin Diebert Christian. He later took his brother-in-law Martin Wiltz's first name as his middle name. He was predeceased in 2005 by his wife and dearest friend of 64 years, Harriet Alice Christian. Leo spent his childhood in Fresno and Modesto, CA. He was a graduate of University of California at Davis and become first a high school and later a college agriculture teacher. He served in the U.S. Army in California as an instructor during World War II. He graduated from UCLA with a Doctors Degree in Education and served as the Dean of Admissions and Records at El Camino Community College in Gardena, CA for 27 years until his retirement in 1980.

After retiring, Leo and Harriet moved to Aptos, CA, and were very active in the Symphony Guild there. They moved to Las Cruces, NM, in October of 1993 to join their daughter's family. Leo loved to travel with his wife Harriet and they circled the globe visiting cities and countries on every Continent. He enjoyed meeting new people and never found a person he couldn't talk to. He also enjoyed spending time with friends and family and frequently traveled to California to visit. In Las Cruces he was involved in the activities of his residence, the Good Samaritan Las Cruces Village, including participating in the choir and acting. He is survived by his brother, Harry Christian of Sunnyvale, CA, his son, Neil H. Christian and his wife Gale of Clemson, SC, his granddaughter Lori Christian of Mariposa, CA and great grandsons Cameron Christian and Christopher Hunt of Florida, his daughter Jean A. Davis of Las Cruces, NM and his treasured granddaughter Marianne Davis, and beloved great grandsons, Joseph Kester and David Kester, Jr. of Las Cruces, numerous nieces and nephews . In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Jacob, Henry Jr., Carl Christian, Alexander, Arthur, Roy; sisters, Louise Wiltz, Marie "Katie" Horg, Anna Christian, Amelia Christian, Emma Peck, Lea Olson; and his son-in-law, Stewart Davis of Las Cruces. He truly will be missed by friends and family, but his memory will continue to live on through all of us.

A celebration of his life for friends and family will be held at the Good Samaritan Society Las Cruces Village Social Center on Monday, April 4 at 4 PM. Cremation was handled by La Paz-Graham funeral home. Your favorite memories of Leo can be shared by emailing them to sjdavis10100@yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to your favorite charity.