Leard Hughes Christian Sr.

L.H. Christian died December 21, 2012. He was 93.
He was born in Oconee County, Georgia, son of Katie Norris and Robert Franklin Christian. He lived in and around Athens most of his life.
He was a pioneer in radio broadcasting, earning his "ham" radio license at an early age and later a "First Class" radio engineer's license. When tornadoes devastated Gainesville in 1936, L.H. and other "ham" radio operators provided some of the first communications with the city. Later, he was instrumental in developing commercial radio stations in Athens, Gainesville, and towns around the Southeast during the '40s and '50s, including WRFC in Athens and WFOX in Gainesville. L.H. was the long-time producer of the Georgia Football Network, which was heard on hundreds of radio stations around the country and on the Armed Forces Radio Network around the world. He also was president of the Georgia Broadcasters Association.
During World War II, he served in the U. S. Navy and participated in the early deployment of airborne radar. He was a long time member of the Athens First United Methodist Church and a strong supporter of their Building Program. He was Exalted Ruler of the Athens Elks Club, President of the Athens Shrine Club, and during his retirement was a regular member of the Athens Street Coin Club.
L.H. was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Sara Bradbury Christian; son Leard Hughes Christian, Jr.; brothers Larry, Curtis, Felton, and Billy Christian; sisters Iris Christian Lanum and Ora Lee Christian Gadell.
He is survived by three children and their spouses: Carolyn Christian and Robert C. Bottoms, Dothan, AL; Robert Franklin Christian II and Pamela Winkler Christian, Kennesaw, GA; Charles William Christian and Tori McKillip Christian, Phoenix, AZ; and sister Elma Ruth Christian Erb, Valley, AL. He also is survived by ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
His family's gratitude goes to the caring and dedicated staffs of St. Mary's Hospice House, Arbor Terrace of Athens Assisted Living and Magnolia Estates of Oconee Assisted Living. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 2, 2013.
. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children: http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren .org/ or to a favorite charity.