Gary Irvin Christian

CHRISTIAN Gary Irvin passed away on November 20, 2005, at his home on Girvin Road with his mother, father and wife at his bedside after a long battle with Metastatic Melanoma. He was born in Albany, Georgia, on July 7, 1951, and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, before moving to Jacksonville in 1960. He received a B.A. Degree in history and political science from David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee, a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a J.D. Degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1979. During law school, Mr. Christian was Editor-in-Chief of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transitional Law. After law school, Mr. Christian was an associate of the law firm of Rogers, Towers, Bailey, Jones & Gay in Jacksonville from 1979 to 1983, and of the law firm of Foley & Lardner from 1983 to 1986. Mr. Christian was a founding partner of the firm of Christian, Prom, Korn & Zehmer from 1986 to 1992, when he joined Rumph, Stoddard &Christian. Mr. Christian is a member of the Committee on Condominiums and Planned Developments of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, and of the Committee on Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowners Associations of the American Bar Association. Mr. Christian has been active in the Jacksonville Bar Association, having served as the 1991-92 Chairman of the Corporation, Banking, and Business Law Section, the 1989-90 Chairman of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, and the 1984-85 Continuing Education Coordinator. He was selected by the Jacksonville Business Journal for inclusion in its listing of “Who's Who among Jacksonville Attorneys” in 1990, and was a member of the 1986-87 class of Leadership Jacksonville. He is a former board member and past president of the Southpoint Business Association and is a past president of PACE Center for Girls. He served on two committees of the St. Johns County School Board for site selection for schools in the Ponte Vedra Palm Valley area, serving as chairman of the elementary school search committee in 1993-94. He was the 1994-96 President of Salt Creek Homeowners Association in Sawgrass Players Club. Mr. Christian's major areas of practice include commercial real estate transactions, corporate and health law, banking, environmental and land use law, zoning, government and administrative law. He is survived by his wife Dierdre Gillham Christian; daughter, Amy Margaret Christian; 2 step daughters Rachel and Sarah Spivey, his parents, Rupert Irvin and Amelia Smith Christian, a brother, Joel Franklin Christian. Gary was a warm and loving father to 3 beautiful girls. He was a blessing of a son and was a joyful, sharing, protective husband. He was beloved by so many, and generous and kind. An avid stamp collector, much of his free time was spent kayaking, fishing, hunting, golfing and playing with his children. He also loved surfing and was President of Wavemasters Society from 1986-87. His legacy will be felt for generations and we that were fortunate enough to pass through his sphere have all felt the warmth and encouragement and joy of his presence. His kindness and love for all will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Melonoma Research Foundation, 24 Old Georgetown Rd, Princeton, N.J. 08540. Visitation will be held Thursday from 7-9 PM at George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Boulevard, S., where services will be held Friday at 10 AM with Pastor Lee Brookins officiating. Interment will be held Saturday at 12:30 PM in Riverside/Oakview Cemetery in Albany, Georgia. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com