Lamar Edwin "Chris" Christopher

1918 - 2015

Lamar E. "Chris" Christopher passed away Saturday, September 12, 2015. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 12:00PM in First Baptist Church of Warner Robins. A Private family entombment will follow in Magnolia Park Mausoleum. The Reverend Charles Rouse will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 11:00AM to 12:00PM at the church. The family requests donations be made to the Warner Robins Lions Club PO Box 1912, Warner Robins GA. 31099.

Mr. Christopher was born December 24, 1918, to the late William Jackson and Ruby Weaver Christopher. He is preceded in death by his wife Cugette "Jet" Christopher, brother Milton Christopher, sisters Inez Durden and Mary Ruth Rouse.

Mr. Christopher came to Warner Robins in May 1947 as a manager of a local funeral home. In 1958 he founded the Christopher Funeral Home which was known as Christopher-Smith Funeral Home. He is a native of Pelham, Georgia. He attended Middle Georgia College on a football scholarship after graduating in 1937 from McPhaul Institute in Sylvester, Georgia. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the 13th Air Force, Fifth Bomb Group and received several medals while serving with the B-24 Bomb Crew in the Pacific Theatre. After his military service he attended Cincinnati College of Embalming where he graduated cum laude in February 1947. He retired in May 1979 after 32 years as a Funeral Director.

In December 1952, Chris was a key figure in the organization of The Warner Robins High School Touchdown Club and Chris was elected as its first president. Forty local businesses and professional men met and agreed to raise $300.00 each to finance a football team. The funds would be used to purchase uniforms and subsidize a coach. Chris immediately began making arrangements for a fund raising kick-off dinner which was held in March 1953. The guest speaker was Georgia's Head Football coach Wally Butts. The dinner was a success, the money was raised, uniforms bought, coach hired and in the fall of 1953, as promised, the Warner Robins High School football team made its debut at Rumble field. Chris continued to provide needed support to the football program and was again elected president of the Touchdown Club in 1963 during which time plans were undertaken for the construction of the International City Stadium (now known as McConnell-Talbert Stadium).

Volunteering his time and energy was nothing new for Lamar Christopher. He loved a challenge and was truly devoted to serving his community. He was a charter member of the Lions Club and served as president twice. The Lions Club took on many projects and those projects were successful due to his leadership. One of those projects was the organization, funding and operation of the first Recreation Department which was passed on to the City of Warner Robins, in 1956 as a successful venture. Chris served as the first chairman of the Department's Non-Political Board and served in that capacity for 15 years. The Georgia State Recreation Society presented him the "Outstanding Laymen" award in recreation for 1959 which was one of only three such awards given by the State. In 2012, The Warner Robins Lions club honored Mr. Christopher for his 65 years of service, especially his guidance of the collection and distribution of eye glasses to the those in need. The honor continued that day as the mayor of Warner Robins, declared it "Lamar Christopher Day". Mr. Christopher also served on the board of directors for First Federal Saving and Loan. In 1970, Mr. Christopher and a group of Warner Robins men opened Peachbelt Nursing Home, which still serves the community today.

Chris was a "first" in many civic affairs. He was the first campaign chairman for the Warner Robins Community Chest, organized in 1953 and now known as the United Way of Houston County. He was the first president of the Warner Robins Unit of the American Cancer Society and served on its Board. He also served as chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Committee of Houston County and vice-chairman of the Hospital Authority 1965-1973. He was president of the USO Council. Chris was one of the first two people from Warner Robins to serve a four year term at the Houston County Courthouse when he was elected as Judge of Houston County Ordinary Court, now called Houston County Probate.

Lamar Christopher received numerous awards from organizations and people. Some of the honors were: Jaycee's Boss of the Year in 1968, the Warner Robins Board of Realtors Outstanding Citizen Award 1973, and a lifetime membership award from the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1987 he received the Lions Club highest honor when he was presented a Life Member award by the Lions International Board of Directors. January 1988, Mr. Christopher was awarded the prestigious Charlie L. Jones Memorial Award during the Warner Robins-North Houston County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

Lamar Christopher was a member of First Baptist Church Warner Robins, where he had served as a Deacon, Superintendent of the Adult Sunday School Department and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He is survived by his daughter Vicki (Hank) Joiner, grandchildren: Jennifer Stovall of New Orleans, Jessica, Christopher and Benjamin Joiner all of Athens, Ga.

Chris and Jet spent many wonderful years in retirement at their mountain home in Clayton, Georgia, enjoying family, friend and Rabun County.

The family wants to thank numerous caring people who lovingly spent time with Chris in recent years-Sandra Sanders, Ella Woods and the supportive staff of Antebellum Grove (Pat, Krista, Judy, Ronelle, Gerlinda, Bob and Linda).

The family welcomes everyone to join them for a reception immediately following the service in the fellowship hall of First Baptist. Friends and family are encouraged to come and share stories and remembrances of Chris' well-lived life.

Please go online to www.heritagememorialfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book.

Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

12/24/1918 - 9/12/2015