Name: Calling hours for Dale "Chris" Christensen
Start: 2015-09-20T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-09-20T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory

NEWPORT NEWS - Lt. Col. Dale "Chris" Christensen, retired USAF fighter pilot, made his last take-off on September 13, 2015. He was born in Rushford, Minnesota in 1929 and enlisted in the USAF when the Korean War started. He served in the Air Force for 22 years. A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, he flew 201 combat missions. He used to say that his military service was a "storybook career" because he always wanted to be a fighter pilot; he ended up doing exactly what he would have asked for the day he enlisted in the Air Force if he had been given that opportunity. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara Whiting Christensen; five daughters, Jodieanne English (Keith) of St. Ives, Cornwall, England; Laurie Lasher (Robert) of Newport News; Terrie Tully (Harry) of Virginia Beach; Deborah Mitchell (David) of Smithfield and Holly Mitchell (Mark) of Chesapeake: 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren from South Australia, England and various places in the US. He was predeceased by his infant son, Gregory Todd; his father, Clarence Christensen; his mother, Augusta Pedersen Christensen; his sister, Major Marles Adele Christensen, USAF Retired. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home on Sunday, Sept. 20. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. at Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church, Newport News, Va. A committal service will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park with military honors.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Virginia Gazette on Sep. 17, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Dale Christensen

Sponsored by Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory.

24 Entries

Justin Tully

September 25, 2015

Justin Tully

Lt Col Dale "Chris" Christensen. 11 Mar 1929 - 13 Sep 2015.

You're flying with God now. Enjoy yourself, Grampa. I'll always think of you with fond memories. Love you!

Elllen Morello

September 24, 2015

So sorry to learn of Chrus's passing. I used to work with him in Williamsburg. One of the sweetest gentleman I have ever known.
I know he will be missed.

Thomas Bender

September 21, 2015

Dear Barbara and family,

So sorry to hear of Chris' passing. I remember the times at base chapel and your conducting the marriage enrichment seminar. Once, at church, you and Chris were at the podium and he recited the words to "The Cats and the Cradle" - illustrating the need to pay attention to the family. Tonite, coming home from Bible Study I was thinking of Chris and the song played on the radio.

I am so proud to have had him as a father! Love you and miss you, Dad!

Laurie

September 21, 2015

Meghan Guethe

September 21, 2015

So sorry to hear that Chris had passed. My sincere condolences to Barb and the family. He was a great example to follow and he and Barb have given so much to the community. I am so glad I have his book. He will be greatly missed.

Keith Byrd

September 19, 2015

You are truly soaring in the heavens now.... We miss you!

Keith Byrd

September 19, 2015

How can we sum up a life? How can we quantify so much with mere words? Noble...honorable are a few words that can apply. I am very privileged to have known such a man. Kind...gentle...warm...mere words humbled before the life of a great man. Thank you for accepting the responsibility of being godfather to my brothers and I. Thank you for you kind and generous nature. What do I remember as I remember a wonderful man? I remember tacos...popcorn...a big smile...a hearty laugh...master of card games and an unexpected swim on a canoe trip while camping. Thank you Uncle Chris and God bless...

Laurie Lasher

September 19, 2015

God gave this poem to me as Dad was preparing to transition above. I want to share it with my friends and family. I pray it helps to bring solace and closure for anybody who may be still struggling with that. God bless you all!
Laurie

A Dream???

I dreamed I went to heaven and saw him from afar
And as I got closer, I saw him straightening a star.
Then he few away from it to aid a cherub child
Who was crying in its loneliness. At my dad it smiled.

Then he turned and saw me. His mouth turned up in a grin.
He then flew up beside me and said, "How have you been?"
Though I truly missed him, I saw what God had done.
He had brought my father up to Him to be a holy one.

I hugged him and I kissed him, knowing that this time was short.
We spoke for some short minutes. Then he left for the angel court.
But my heart was now content because of what I'd seen.
He had a job in God's court as a celestial being!

Thank you, God, for blessing us, with the man who was our dad.
Now we know we don't have to feel quite so sad.
We know our dad is happy in heaven with God.
We also know that he is always praising God with laud!

God -- thank you for allowing me a view
Of how You're using our dad now, so he can help you, too.
I don't think it was a dream. I think You wanted us to see
That dad is up in heaven where he now needs to be!

Love you, Daddy, so very much!! I thank God that you are happy and pain-free up there with God and previous family members!

Your Daughter #2

Tracey Crawley

September 19, 2015

Barbara, We were privileged to know a truly, Godly man like Chris. We celebrate his passing to the Kingdom of God. We mourn your loss and pray God will provide all your needs and see you through until you join him.

September 19, 2015

Barbara and Family,
We are privileged to have known Chris. What good times we have had especially in ACME/Better Marriages, our MEG group, and all the retreats and conferences that we planned together. Thank you for authoring the book, Right Steps, Discovering a Better Marriage. We still use and give it away.
Our love and prayers.
Carl and Nancy Terry

He couldn't have aimed any higher!

Barry Green

September 17, 2015

Grieve not for nor mourn the while, for happier would I be to see you smile.
Let no tears fall since I have passed away but miss me and remember me each day.
Live your lives as I would want you to, and treat your fellow man as I would do.
And when the time has come, your lives be through, I shall be waiting here for each of you.
-Unknown

You are all in my prayers. I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Mr. Christensen, not once, but twice. Peace be with you.

Carolyn Perry

September 17, 2015

Debbie, I am so very sorry for your loss. May your memories of your dad give you and your family great comfort during this time.

Beth Oglesby

September 17, 2015

Terrie,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Sympathy,
Beth Oglesby

Caldoria Gibson

September 16, 2015

Barbara and Family: May God continue to Bless you and give you Peace. We remember your family from Ft. Leavenworth and Hampton-- {Bestline} We lose our beloved Hank in Dec.

Caldoria Gibson

September 16, 2015

Barbara and Family. May God continue to Bless you and give you Peace. I remember you and your family from Ft. Leavenworth and Hampton. Remember the days of Bestline? We loss our beloved Hank Gibson in Dec.

Kathy and Rich Fanney

September 16, 2015

Debbie,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

T Griffin

September 16, 2015

So sorry to hear about your loss. You know that God and Jesus are in the best position to comfort us when we lose a loved one in death.

Barbara Berryman

September 16, 2015

Debbie,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My deepest condolences to you and your family. You are in my prayers for comfort and peace.

Shelli Hammer

September 16, 2015

Debbie, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I will continue to lift you up in my prayers during this difficult time.

Faye Keenan

September 16, 2015

Dear Debbie and family,
Sincere sympathy to each of you during this very sad and difficult time of loss. God bless you and strengthen you with His grace and peace.

Sincerely,

September 16, 2015

Debbie, May the Peace and Love of God comfort and hold you and your family during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Patricia Bowser

Ruth Sharp

September 16, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to all. My prayers are with you.

S. Taylor

September 16, 2015

Barbara and Family, I pray that God will bless you with peace beyond understanding and divine comfort. I will be forever grateful for the impact that you had in my life through Building Better Relationships.

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