Robert Harold Christy Jr.

Robert (Bob) Harold Christy Jr., 69 of Asheville, passed into the loving arms of his creator Monday August 21, 2023, surrounded by the love of family and lifelong friends at the John F. Keever Solace Center.
He was born May 7,1954 at Fort Jackson in Columbia SC, to Robert Harold Sr. and Margaret (Peggy) Bound Christy.
Bob grew up in Asheville, having attended AC Reynolds HS where he was an athlete and amassed many friendships that remain until this day. Bob attended Appalachian State University from 1972 -76 where he received his BA in Political Science. He attended NCCU and received his JD in 1981. Bob's college and law school years were pivotal for him and set him on a path to serve and lead in his community. He developed friendships in these years that he treasured and fostered throughout his life.
Bob served in the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court's office from 1983 to 1990, becoming the elected clerk in 1990, a position he held until his retirement in 2008. Bob held strong beliefs about what it meant to serve the citizens of Buncombe County and worked tirelessly to provide unbiased, fair, equal access to the court system at large. He worked closely with the National Center for State Courts to improve court services in Buncombe County and across the state of NC. He is a past president of the North Carolina Clerks Association. He was an executive committee member of the association for many years and past legislative committee chair for the association.
He served on statewide boards including the Future Courts Commission and was named to the Governor's Crime Commission, was honored by the NC Guardian Ad Litem association for exemplary service to Buncombe County and NC as well as receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award upon retirement which is reserved as the highest honor from the Governor of NC for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and accomplishments.
Bob served on local boards for the Reynolds Fire Department, Democratic Mens Executive Committee, State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board, and the Board of Visitors for Appalachian State University.
Bob is well respected in the community, largely in part, due to his impartiality, ethical treatment of others, fairness in judgement in and outside of the court system, accountability and kindness.
Bob's favorite role above all was as husband and father, brother and friend. Beloved husband to Shannon for 25 years, also loving father to Drew, Jean Marie, Kilian and Keelan. He was very proud of each of his children, noting their accomplishments to anyone who would listen and loved them as individuals and for their differences. There were family trips and daily phone calls, constant quizzing, practical jokes and deep love as each of the kids has recounted in the last weeks and days. Bob and Shannon had a love that has stood the test of time, some of his last words to her being "it's you and me forever". Bob's relationships with his brothers, Bill and Dick Christy, was one of true brotherly love and an unbreakable bond. Bob often lamenting through the years that he felt bad for picking on Bill like he did when they were kids.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bob leaves behind his wife, Shannon; son, Drew Christy of Weaverville; daughter, Jean Marie Christy of Asheville; step sons, Kilian Taylor of Atlanta and Keelan Taylor (Numtan) of Greensboro; brothers, William (Bill) Christy and wife Deirdre of Black Mountain, and Richard (Dick) Christy of Black Mountain; father and mother-in-law, Doug and Ginger Seay of Mills River; sister-in-law, Kacy McAdoo (Keith) of Pittsboro; nephew, Bryson Christy of California; nieces, Sarah Margaret and Julia Christy (Jesse) of Durham, Rachael and Hanna Christy both of Calgary, Canada; and several very special cousins in the Christy family. He also leaves behind special friends, Warren Hughes (Patti) of Burnsville, Brad (Carole) Wilson of Raleigh, Brad (Valerie) Stone of Asheville, Sonny Hollifield (Karen) of Asheville and several brothers from the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity along with many others that are too numerous to name.
The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Ben Trichon, Dr. Richard Burris, and Dr. Lisa Rose-Jones for their exemplary care of Bob. The family would also like to thank the home hospice team, particularly, nurses Nick and Clair, and the staff at the John F. Keever Solace Center. Also, to all the neighbors and friends who carried us with food and love in the last weeks.
Bob's love for family and friends was only rivaled by his love of Appalachian State Football where he spent many seasons cheering on his favorite team.
Services will be held September 1, 2023 at 1pm at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville which, coincidently, is the 16th anniversary of the App State victory over Michigan for which Bob was present against Doctor's orders. Bob would want you to know that.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Manna Food Bank or the Children's Wellness League (CWL) of Asheville.