Christopher Carter Pixton

Lieutenant Colonel (U.S. Army, Retired) Christopher Carter Pixton passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on June 22, 2024. Chris served with distinction for over 23 years as a U.S. Army aviator, including two tours of duty in Viet Nam as a gunship pilot (where he earned the Silver Star for valor. Chris was a devoted husband to his sweetheart of 55 years, Linda, whom he treated like a queen. He was a proud father to their seven children, an adopted son, and many others who were blessed by their generosity and parenting over their decades together. Chris was a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and honored his pioneer ancestors who settled the Salt Lake valley during the Mormon migration.
Chris was born at Fort Lewis, Washington, on July 20, 1943, while his father was in Europe preparing for the eventual landing at Normandy on D-Day. As such, Chris did not meet his father for the first time until he was nearly two years old. After his father returned from fighting in Europe, Chris enjoyed an incredible childhood which gave him the chance to see the world as his father's military assignments took him to many diverse places including Germany, Singapore, the Pentagon, and Army bases from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Lewis. Among other places, Chris visited Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Egypt, Malaysia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Greece, Italy, Cambodia, and countless national parks in the United States all before he was 18.
Chris graduated from the University of Utah in 1965 after serving in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and he later earned a Master's degree in business administration and a Master's degree in aeronautical science, both with distinction. He said that each one of the 8,514 days he served in the army was filled with an adventure. After returning from his first tour of duty in Viet Nam (which included fighting in the Tet offensive), Chris reported for duty at Fort Wolters and was impressed by the brigade commander's secretary, a strikingly beautiful blond. She finally agreed to meet him for a date on Halloween 1968. Nine days later he asked her to marry him. At their wedding dinner in March 1969, Linda remarked to Chris's father "I hope we're this happy in 5 years," to which Allan replied, "I hope you're this happy in five months!" This year Chris and Linda celebrated 55 happy years of marriage.
Chris served another tour in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and later unaccompanied tours in Honduras and Korea. During his distinguished military career, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Fort Wolters, Fort Rucker, Fort Riley, Fort Benning, Fort Wolters (again), in Germany, Fort Knox (again), Fort Rucker, and Fort Hood. Among his many awards and decorations are earning the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars, four Meritorious Service Medals, 46 Air Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry, and Viet Nam Command Pilot Guide Honor Medal.
After the Army tried to assign him as an Air Force liaison officer at Offutt Air Force Base (outside of Omaha, Nebraska), Chris opted to retire and joined Marriott. After graduating from Marriott's management training program, Marriott assigned him to Omaha, Nebraska. Chris spent over a decade in the hotel management industry, working for Marriott, the Adam's Mark in St. Louis, and the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis. Chris retired for good in 2000 and enjoyed 24 happy years of retirement. Chris served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, serving as a bishop, branch president, high councilor, four years as a service missionary, and many, many, many other callings in which he blessed countless lives.
Chris was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Allan Gardner Pixton and Vivian Sturtridge Pixton, and his brother Scott.
He is survived by his wife Linda, his children Dennis (Shelly) Pixton, Virginia (Rusty) Payne, Destry (Matt) Hardy, Ashley Pixton, Cheyenne Hughes, Allan (Summer) Pixton, and Casey (Allie) Pixton, and his sister Heidi (Ken) Copa, his aunt Lois (Bill) Park, 25 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held on July 31, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. MDT at LDS Chapel at 13434 South Hawthorne Way, Riverton, UT, and Chris will be interred at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale, UT.
Memorial donations in Chris's memory can be made to the American Red Cross at redcross.org/donate. Condolences may be made online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christopher, please visit our floral store.