Joe L. Christensen

Joe L Christensen 1947 ~ 2004  GUNNISON, UTAH - Devoted citizen, father, husband and brother, Joe L Christensen, age 57, left this life on November 2, 2004, at his home in Gunnison, following a valiant struggle with the realities of this life.  He was the third child of Peter Loyal and Hazel Nelson Christensen, born March 25, 1947 in Gunnison, Utah.  Following his graduation from Gunnison Valley High School, Joe L attended Snow College and majored in Law Enforcement, graduating from BYU. He served our country in the military during the Vietnam War.  His employment included working at SUFCO, Hatch-Co, Lester Hill Furnace Cleaning and in 1974, Joe L began serving the citizens of Gunnison Valley as a police officer, advancing to the rank of Chief of Police, a position he held for 27 years. His commitment to service in Gunnison Valley was shown by his long years of service to the community. Joe L's roots grew deep into his hometown and kept him here.  Following retirement, he established JRM Extinguishers Service.  In the early 1970's, Joe L married Trudy Foster and later divorced, but was privileged to have a beautiful daughter, Stacy Allison. He also has a granddaughter, Sidney, age 9. Joe L met Beth Marie Chappell of Lyman, Utah and they were married July 29, 1977 in Lyman. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple one year later on August 8, 1978.  They are parents of two fine sons: Joseph Rudi, and his wife, Kristin Christensen of Hurricane and McKay C. Christensen of St. George. Joe L enjoyed fishing, the deer hunt, pheasant and goose hunts and loved the beauty of the mountains with his friends.  Active in the LDS Church, Joe L served in Gunnison 2nd Ward as a home teacher and was the statistical clerk under three bishops. Other survivors include his brother, LeGrande L. Christensen of Salt Lake City; his sister, Lila Lee Christensen of Gunnison; his parents-in-law, Wendell and Burla Chappell of Lyman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Douglas Chappell of St. George; Alice and Bruce Christenson of Gunnison; Jeanette and Dan Taylor of Loa. He also has numerous nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 6, 2004 at 12 Noon in the Gunnison LDS Stake Center, 80 West Center Street in Gunnison, where friends may call for viewing Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial with full honor guard by the Utah State Highway Patrol and local area Police Departments, and with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 will be Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the Lyman, Utah Cemetery under the direction of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.  In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up at the Moroni Feed Credit Union in Gunnison for Joe L's sons, to help with their education. On line guest book at: www.springerturner.com Joe L loved Gunnison Valley. God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again