Christus "Chris" Christi

Christus "Chris" Christi, LT Col USAF (retired), age 92, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at Sayre Christian Village. He was born June 8, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York to parents George and Catherine Christi, the fifth of seven children. He had three brothers and three sisters, all deceased.
He entered the Air Force in 1952 and the Aviation Cadet Program where he earned his Commission. After completing training, he was assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing Flying E-B36 aircraft. It was here in Rapid City, South Dakoka where he met Rhoda, the light of his life, whom he married on October 8, 1955. Chris loved flying and amassed thousands of hours flying in B-36, B-52 and EB-66 aircraft. He served during the Korean War and flew 175 combat missions in Southeast Asia and received numerous awards and decorations that include the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Award.
When he retired in 1972 after twenty years in the Air Force, he and his family came to Lexington. Chris entered the University of Kentucky to get his teaching degree. He earned his bachelors, masters and post graduate work from the University of Kentucky. He began teaching in Nicholasville, and then Fayette County at Garden Springs Elementary School. He retired from full-time teaching in 1994. He subbed eleven more years, totaling thirty-one years of a teaching career. Not many can claim two careers with loving memories.
Chris was very active in his church life. At Broadway Christian Church, he taught a college age class, then later "The Lamplighters" class, and he sang twenty-three years in the choir. In 1996 Chris and Rhoda moved to Tates Creek Christian Church where Chris taught the Crusaders Sunday School Class and sang in the church choir.
Besides the love of his life, Rhoda, he leaves one daughter, Beth (Lee) Rogers; eight grandchildren, Donna (Sebastian) Stachowicz, Jenni (Andy) Secora, Chris (Alyson) Rogers, Becky Christi, Curtis (Danielle) Rogers, Nick (Megan) Christi, Ellie (Charlie) McBroom, and Cory Hahn; fourteen great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Libby Christi. In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his son, Tim Christi; and daughter, Barbara Hahn.
Funeral services will be 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Harrodsburg Road, officiated by Rev. Tommy Simpson. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 29th at the funeral home. Burial with Military Funeral Honors will be at The Lexington Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Bluegrass Hospice, 1733 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY 40504 or Tates Creek Christian Church, 3150 Tates Creek Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.