Christopher Drake Samford

Christopher Drake Samford, 45, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

To know Christopher was to know a man deeply devoted to his family. As a loving husband and proud father, his greatest joy was found at home. Whether cooking, hosting friends, traveling, or simply unwinding with his wife of 12 years, Shawna, and their daughter Mackenzie, he cherished both the ordinary and the meaningful moments they shared. Spending time with Mackenzie was especially important to him. He was a constant and enthusiastic presence at her school, where her teachers knew him well, and he made a point to know each of them in return. He also helped coach her softball team with pride and dedication.

Christopher built a distinguished career as a licensed professional mechanical engineer, specializing in movable bridges — a demanding and highly specialized field that reflected his precision, intelligence, and focus. He studied at Auburn University before earning his degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Over the course of his career, he worked with Steward Machine and Tricon Wear Solutions before joining Modjeski and Masters, where he served as a Senior Engineer. He was respected by colleagues for his passion for the industry, strong work ethic, reliability, and competence. For over 17 years, Christopher served on the board of the Birmingham Chapter of the Alabama Society of Mechanical Engineers, both as past president and current chair, and spearheaded the organization’s annual skeet shoot to raise scholarship funding for aspiring students.

Outside of work, Christopher had a love for cooking and a deep appreciation for good food, whether preparing a meal or enjoying one with others. He loved cars, waterskiing, and playing the piano. Known for his witty sense of humor, Christopher was a great conversationalist with a sweet, winning personality that made him beloved by so many. He had a personal faith in Jesus Christ and a strong Christian family heritage — one that included Alabama governors on both sides: his great-great-grandfather, William James Samford, for whom Auburn University’s famed Samford Hall is named, and his cousin, Forrest Hood (“Fob”) James, Jr.

Christopher is survived by his wife, Shawna Lamb Samford; their daughter, Mackenzie; his brother, Dr. James Westcott Samford (Abnous), and their children, Cameron and Winn; his mother, Carolyn James Nelson and Howard Nelson, Jr., and his sons, Trey (Jennifer) and Bentley (Kelly); his father, Dr. Westcott Bell Samford and Joy Burttram Samford, and her sons, Nathan (Kelly), Jackson (Aerial), and Jeb (Kristen) Burttram; and his mother-in-law, Judy Reinheimer Lamb, and her adopted grandchildren, Austin, Marley, Dakota, and Marshall.

He is also survived by his aunts Dorothy James Parker (Tom) of Montgomery, and Katherine James Parson (Dave) of Atlanta; and his cousins Gwen Groom, Sam Taylor (Jimmy), Louise Cardoza (Michael), Tracy James (Bebo), and Kristen Whitmire (Kirk).

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Michael Dean Lamb; his grandparents, Dr. Millard Westcott Samford and Gwendolyn Bell Samford of Opelika, and Louie Webb James and Meriam Nobles James of Auburn.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at The Chapel at Church of the Highlands, Grants Mill Campus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cherokee Bend School for the Fair Oaks Adventure Curriculum: 4400 Fair Oaks Drive, Mountain Brook, AL 35213.