Gaylen Earl Christean Jr.

1957 - 2025

Bottom of the 9th and he struck out the side. Gaylen Earl Christean Jr. passed away after game 3 of the World Series on October 28, 2025 in Elko, NV.

Gaylen was 68 years old. He was born in Ely, NV on September 05, 1957, at the hospital across from the pond, to Gaylen "Big Chris" and Mildred Rose (Stenovich) Christean. Joining his sister Teryl and brother Kenny. The Christean family moved to Elko when Gaylen was about 2, first living on the 300 block of Ash Street and later in 1961 moving to the 400 block of Ash Street. His Mother maintaining that residence until her passing in 2021.

Gaylen's early education was spent at Grammar 1, Grammar 2 and later EHS. Once he graduated High School, he later earned his AA degree at CSI in Twin Falls (1979), and his BS in Business Education at UNLV in 1981. After graduating, he spent 26 years at NYTC teaching a variety of subjects, coaching, athletic director and mentoring, as he put it, "The finer youth of Nevada." He retired from NYTC in 2007 and 5 days later went to work at Vitality Unlimited until 2013, after which he volunteered in Elko Co. School district as a crossing guard, lunch and playground monitor and hall monitor until 2020.

During his early years he spent the majority of his time following his Father to various athletic events in which his Dad was invloved. During the Summer, he was found at the Baseball or Softball fields where he would shag balls and be a batboy for the teams his Dad coached. During the Winter he would travel with his Dad all around Northeastern Nevada, sitting in the stands while his Dad refereed. He was very proud of his Dad and grew up instilled with a respect for officials.

Once he was old enough, he began playing the sports he'd grown to love, Football, Basketball and mostly Baseball. He participated in Pop Warner and spent many hours working his Basketball skills in the family driveway on Ash, often with his brother Kenny.

His love as a Baseball player was paramount though. He participated in Little League (All Star 1970) Babe Ruth (All Stars 1971 - 1973), EHS Baseball (MVP 1975), Senior Babe Ruth (Reno, NV 1974) and later played at CEU, Price, UT, where he was named "outstanding pitcher" and CSI. He was proud to have been a member of the 1971 13 Year Old Babe Ruth State Champions were he played third.

Gaylen's passion for Baseball never ended, as he began coaching at the age of 16 in the Elko County Babe Ruth League, and he coached until his death. His coaching went from the 1970's to 2020's. He coached Babe Ruth and was often a league officer until the early 2000's, and in 2004 served as President of the league's 50th anniversary season. He was often named as an All-Star coach at all the various levels from 13-18 year old teams, which allowed him to coach in many Pacific Southwest Regional Tournaments at Kump Field which included teams from Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, No. CA, Central CA, So. CA, Hawaii and Guam. He didn't boast, but his 13 year old Regional team finished 3rd in 1978, and won the sportsmanship award. It was the highest finish of any Elko team at any level to date. His 1983 16-18 Yr. Old team was state runners-up, as was his 1993 and 1994 14-15 year old teams.

In 2007 he was honored to be asked to coach at the High School level by a former player, Shane Gilligan, and without hesitation accepted the job as pitching coach. Though the teams struggled at the beginning in the 4A league, once they were moved to the 3A, they became dominate, but were never able to capture the elusive State Championship. They were Runners up in 2012, and after the 2013 season, and an appearance at the state tournament he decided to focus more on attending his youngest daughter's activities.

He not only coached Baseball. As many of his players became older, they asked him to coach in the Men's Fastpitch Softball league, which he was honored by their request. From 1986 to 1994 he coached the Gallagher Ford Softball team with great success. During those 8 years they won the local league 6 years, and the 2 years they didn't win the league they won the State Championship. In 1994 they were one of 2 teams to represent the state of Nevada at the class "C' Nationals with 64 teams competing, were they finished in the top 24. He often said, "Coaching these guys was one of the most enjoyable times of my life. We were good, and people in the Western US knew who we were!"

He was also an avid bowler, having competed at a young age in the American Jr. Bowling League, often attending the state tournament throughout various cities in Nevada. Once he returned to Elko from college, he bowled with the "Ole Shell" bowling team in the Men's Telescope bowling league. In 1990 he won the singles title in the Men's City Championship.

Gaylen loved his children and was beyond proud of their accomplishments, but he always told them, "You are the one that had to put in the time, work and perform, you need to be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. You need to do what inspires you, not what inspires me."

Gaylen was preceded in death by his Father, Gaylen "Big Chris", Mother, Mildred, little sister Darla Brown and big brother, Ken "curve" Christean. He is survived by his children, Chesarae' Niskern (Cody), Gaylen III (Ana) and Tyra. Neices; Tera Hooiman (Eric), Jessica Gibson, Amber Day (Aaron), Kiera Harrison (Chandler), Nephews; Dustin Christean (Hailey), Chris Christean (Farrah) and Jordan Christean. Grandsons; Kacyn, Everett, Brooks and Greyson, as well as many cousins.

All who knew and loved Gaylen are welcome to join the family in a celebration and remembrance which will be held on:

Friday November 7, 2025 at Lower Kump Field, 1150 Golf Course Road Elko, NV at 11:57 a.m.

Followed by a graveside service at the Elko Cemetery, and concluding with refreshments and food at the Ballroom in the Stockmens Casino, 340 Commercial St Elko, NV.

We encourage you to wear Elko High School colors or your favorite baseball attire.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the G.E. Christean scholarship fund donations can be taken or sent to Elko High School at 987 College Ave. Elko, NV 89801.

"Don't do things for the awards, do them because you enjoy doing it. If you're competing for the trophy, you're doing it for the wrong reason(s). Love what you do. You're blessed with a talent, and you work to improve that talent. Some, through no fault of their own, never get the chance. Be blessed just to be afforded that chance."