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Christopher M. Krzys
Christopher M. Krzys
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Christopher Krzys Obituary
Chris leaves behind "two unusual daughters," Jennifer (Daniel) Kroll of Gladwin, MI and Katy Berry of Hudsonville, MI, both of whom would argue that she is the favorite. He is also survived by a brother, Paul, of Macomb County, MI; seven grandchildren – Amanda Garcia, Paige Krzys, Tyler Berry, Savannah Berry, Blake Berry, Alli Berry and Lucas Kroll; one niece, Kodie Krzys; and many friends.
He was born in Ypsilanti, MI on October 27, 1949 to Thaddeus and Frances (Key) Krzys. Chris attended elementary school in Michigan; due to his father's job with Chrysler's International Division, he then attended middle school in Switzerland and high school in Colombia. Always musically inclined, he formed "the first North American band in Bogota" called The Walflower Complextion, which issued 2 LPs in Colombia in 1967. He returned to Michigan to attend Hope College, where he met his wife, to whom he was married from 1972 to 1991. Although he aspired to attend medical school, he ultimately majored in biology with a minor in chemistry and later went on to earn a Master's degree in business management science. He spent most of his career at Perrigo Company in Allegan, MI, where he worked for just shy of 30 years. He retired in May 2011 as a packaging engineer.
A master griller, he also enjoyed playing guitar, music, photography, bowling, shooting pool, golfing, fishing and a good cigar or gin and tonic.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George and Ted; his grandparents; and several extended family members.
A small service will be held for immediate family, with a larger gathering to take place at a later date for family, friends and former colleagues.
We hope you sleep well, Dad.
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Karl Hanft
February 1, 2025
CK you are being missed! Even though we hadn´t seen each other in a few years. I will miss our conversations as well as our annual cognac and cigar during the holidays as well as your masterful grilling out at your Allegan home.
You are truly one of a kind and I hope you finally get that boat and getting some fishing in, in heaven.
Look up my father and my mother in heaven, I know my dad will have a cognac with you and a beer if indeed there is beer in heaven!
Cheers my friend.
Karl Hanft & family
Kesha Tolliver
January 13, 2025
Chris was one of my favorite supervisors at Perrigo. I remember sitting at the bar with him one morning (we worked 3rd shift) and started talking about the blues. I was in my.mid 20s then and he was so impressed with my knowledge of many blues man artists. He was always an interesting person talk to!
Christine B. Anderson
January 9, 2025
I, too, knew Chris from our days at Colegio Nueva Granada In Bogota, Colombia.
In 2007, Chris attended the CNG reunion in Phoenix, AZ. Even though we had not seen each other since 1967, we fell right back into conversation as if we had seen each other the day before. I will remember him fondly.
Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Alyson Starkey Lawyer
December 31, 2024
Chris is such a memory from my time in Bogota, Colombia. A high school friend and oo aa band player with the Wallflower Complexions made him special. God bless him and all his family. God bless my friends in CNG
Who are missing him.
Alyson Starkey Lawyer
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Maria Priscilla Clavijo
December 30, 2024
My sincere condolences to the Krzys family. I met Chris when we were in High School in Bogota, Colombia. He was the nicest, kindest and sweetest school mate. I knew he played in the Wallflower Complexion and was able to see them in the big event of the battle of the bands. What a time it was!
Peggy Donald
December 19, 2024
Hard though it is to accept that Chris is no longer with us, I know that it is harder still on family. My sympathies are with you. You knew him for years; I knew him for a little over a year. That year was in 1966-67. It was high school for us, in Bogotá, Colombia, high in the Andes mountains. He was a member of a rock band in the early days of the Beatles and Rolling Stones. If there ever were a guy who could have thought of himself as "hot stuff" it would have been Chris. But he didn't. He was kind, friendly, down to earth, caring. He zipped around that city on a Vespa motorcycle. (Somebody might come along and correct me on that but it was a little Italian thing that looked like a beefed up bicycle, not a beefy Harley.) He had amazing experiences with the band, playing for a weekend party for the U.S. Embassy in a quaint town pretty far from the city. The Embassy put together a dedicated train just to get themselves, their guests, and the band to the town. Playing at an oil exploration camp way, way out in the middle of nowhere, only reachable by air. The band and some friends got there in the plane the oil company used, spent the weekend, and then being flown back. Those adventures I got to be part of. The "Battle of the Bands" events back in Bogotá I did not experience. They were advertised on huge posters pasted up on walls around town, just the way bullfights were advertised, and they attracted huge audiences. Or, so Chris said. So, yes, he could have let it all go to his head, but he didn't. He was just the sweetest, nicest guy ever.
I'm adding a photo I just got from Kathy, one of our classmates (she's in the picture). Chris has a drink in his hand but I'm sure it's just a Coke; this gig was at my parents' house and no way would they have given him alcohol. The band played while my parents' dignified guests danced like crazed teenagers until the band wrapped it up around 3AM. My memories of Chris are all positive and even exciting, and I want to share them with his daughters in particular. They knew him longer and better than I did, but they didn't know him as a teenager. These memories are all I have to give in this time of sorrow.
Fred Sampson
December 17, 2024
My sincerest condolences. As teens, we played together in our first bands - The Preachers (which he named) and then The Walflower Complextion. Chris always led the way musically and was a wonderful influence on me. Him and Ted were my school mates as well.
Mark Lusk
December 16, 2024
He was my band mate in Colombia and a good friend. My condolences to his family.
Kerry Prentki
December 16, 2024
When Chris and I were young kids, we would always hang out together at family events, which was the only time I would see him as I lived in NY. We didn't have contact with each other until about 6 months ago when he contacted me.
Rene P Katsinas
December 16, 2024
Playing pool with his brothers in MI. I used geometry and was never again able to repeat my one time win and a bunch of fantastic shots. I was also my first time playing pool. Rene Prentki Katsinas, daughter of Lucille Krzy Prentki
Chase bouman
December 16, 2024
As a lowly intern, Christopher took the time to get to know me and explain how things worked. He took me to lunch and had me over for dinner. I still appreciate his kindness and sense of humor. Praying for you all in this difficult time.
Katy Berry
December 15, 2024
How do you pick a favorite memory out of a lifetime...I remember him taking me fishing when I was little. I remember his grilled potatoes. I remember staying up late to watch Jaws with him, and him hiding me under his big red blanket when mom came to put me to bed. I remember him coming to my 5th grade spelling bee, and taking me out of school for a celebratory lunch when I won. I remember coming home as a teenager to him throwing a wild party. I remember watching Star Trek with him. I remember him sitting with me for hours, patiently attempting to teach me math and chemistry. So many more things I never got to thank him for. I hope you know how much I love you, Dad. I miss you so much already. I'll do everything I can to continue to make you proud.
Deb Nykamp
December 15, 2024
Chris,
Thank you for our kids.
Deb
Melanie Bowman
December 14, 2024
My heartfelt condolences to the family
Ryan Whitney
December 14, 2024
I knew Christopher for many years. We met working at Perrigo, 3-5 years before he retired from the engineering team. He taught me much of what I know today about being a person that others can depend on, both in and out of work. We spent MANY weekend evenings grilling & listening to music probably too loud for the neighbors, at his home in Allegan.
There was one specific weekend that I recall, at his place in Allegan, where we were grilling, drinking and listening to music and the weather started getting really nasty, thunderstorms and such. Then it got REALLY dark and the tornado sirens started going. I´d gotten ahold of the flashlights and whatnot and went and got the basement opened and started heading down. About 5 minutes later Christopher comes bounding down the stairs with an enormous beach cooler, full of ice, beer, rum and dark ginger beers w cut limes. I´d said, what the heck is all of is this Christopher?!´ And he says to me `the guy on tv said grab the ESSENTIALS and get to shelter, ASAP, so that´s what I did!´ I laughed so hard that I about cried.
Christopher was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed.
Normally I always hear from him on my birthday (12/12) and when I didn´t hear I became concerned and as such, learned the tragic news of his sudden passing. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. I´m hopeful that details of the larger memorial services will be posted soon such to be able to make travel arrangements in order to attend. Absolutely gutted, I just don´t want to accept that this is `real´ at the moment and I expect many others feel the same. Truly heartbroken.
Ryan Whitney +19718138662
Portland, OR
Paige Krzys
December 14, 2024
love you, grandpa
Deb Nykamp
December 13, 2024
I love you guys.
Mom
Jennifer Kroll
December 13, 2024
I cannot possibly choose just one favorite memory with you, Dad. But I will always remember you in front of the grill.
This wasn't supposed to happen already.
Thank you for taking such good care of us.
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