Dr. Percy Herbert "Chris" Christian

Dr. Percy Herbert "Chris" Christian

Opelousas - Funeral services for Dr. Percy Herbert "Chris" Christian will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas, LA. Interment will follow in the Myrtle Grove Cemetery in Opelousas with Rev. Perry Hubbs officiating.

Dr. Percy Herbert "Chris" Christian passed away quietly, surrounded by family and loved ones, in his home on Sunday, May 10, 2015, after a prolonged illness at the age of 87. Chris was born in Opelousas, LA, on June 28, 1927. He was a graduate of Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, in 1950. He attended the U. S. Naval Academy Preparatory School and Louisiana State University, where he was an LSU cheerleader. He was the Class of '44 at Opelousas Senior High. After graduation from Optometry school, he returned to Opelousas to start his family and build his thriving Optometry practice, servicing St. Landry Parish for over 53 years. He built his family home in Opelousas in 1958 where he remained until his death. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Elks Lodge 1048. He was instrumental in the creation of the Sportsman's League (to refurbish the boating docks and replenishing the deer population within the parish). He was a recreational pilot and built his own racing boat while participating in many competitions on False River and surrounding bayous. His hobbies included photography, hunting and fishing in Pecan Island and Mexico, flying his plane, and working in his workshop. Above all else, he was a wonderful father and grandfather. His family meant the world to him.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Wilda Savoy Christian; children, Margaret Christian Gaddis and husband, Ken; Van Christian and wife, Karen; Christy Thomas Stoll and Bob; Mark Christian and wife, Rita; stepdaughters, Skye Christian and Jorge Shipley; grandchildren, Courtney, Chris, Keelie, Ashley, Casey, Sommer, Piper, Loren, Christina, Candice, Christopher, C. L. and Nicholas; 24 great grandchildren, and sister, Joy Christian Lain.

He was preceded in death by his father, Errol Pete Christian; mother, Margaret Lorena Higginbotham Christian; and grandson, Don Michael Gaddis II; and brother-in-law, James M. "Jim" Lain, Jr.

Pallbearers will be Casey Gaddis, Richard Cloy, Blake Speyrer, Adam Thibodeaux, Ryan Arceneaux, and Byron Briggs. Honorary pallbearers will be Christian Henslee, Jim Tatman, Manny Veltin, and Ike Chachere.

Visiting hours will be held at the Sibille Funeral Home in Opelousas on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. On Wednesday, the visitation will resume at the funeral home beginning at 8:00 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Elks Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Chris' name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The family would like to extend special thanks to his caregivers: Gloria, Claudia, Audrey, Darlene, Pam, and Marita. We would also like to thank the staff of the Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their excellent services and his nurse, Ailee.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.