James Oliver Christy

Jul. 29, 1932 - Feb. 20, 2015 James Oliver Christy was born on July 29, 1932, in Birmingham, AL. On February 20, 2015, he passed from this life to his eternal home after a brief illness. Educated in the Birmingham school system, he joined the Air Force at 17 and received his GED while there. He was stationed in England as a part of SAC (Strategic Air Command) and upon returning to the states attended classes at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham). He married Janet Foster of Birmingham in 1955. In 1957, his oldest son Foster was born and soon after, they moved to Huntsville, AL, where he took a job with NASA as a systems analyst and remained there for the duration of his working career, retiring in 1994. His youngest son, Mark, was born in 1961. During his career with NASA he received several achievement awards. Among them were certificates commemorating the first landing on the moon and the first shuttle flight. Jim was a strong family man. He was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and loved by all his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He influenced countless young men as a coach with Dixie Youth Baseball teams and YMCA Football in Huntsville. Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman and archer, competing at the NASA archery club. For many years he had a beautiful garden and loved to cook. Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Janet Christy of Huntsville, AL; son Foster Christy (Laura) of Columbia, SC; son Mark Christy (Delisa) of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren Ann-Marie Christy Settelen (Tyler) of Lexington, SC, Lolly Christy of Dallas, TX, Daniel Christy of Monrovia, AL; brother Charles Christy (Edna) of Trussville, AL; sister Alys Jane Christy Atkerson of Birmingham, AL; sister-in-law Nancy Christy of Birmingham, AL. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Febrauary 24, 2015, at Jefferson Memorial Trussville, with interment to follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.