Thomas Peter Christian

1952 - 2022

Thomas Peter Christian
April 10, 1952 - October 19, 2022
Thomas Peter Christian of Lafayette, California, passed away on October 19 at the age of 70 after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
Tom was born to the late Steve and Bessie Christian on April 10, 1952 at Peralta Hospital in Oakland, and was raised in Piedmont, where he made many close, cherished and lifelong friends who shared his love for school, sports, cars and other spirited adventures of all kinds.
He graduated from Santa Clara University in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in structural engineering, and went on to establish and build a respected and successful structural engineering practice with its office located near Oakland's Jack London Square for nearly forty years.
While always hard-working as an engineer, Tom also found time to pursue his passions for fishing, with a special focus and expertise as a fly fisherman, as well as being an avid hunter. He especially loved traveling with his good friends to the likes of Montana, Wyoming, Florida, Alaska, Easter Island and other faraway locations in pursuit of the thrill of sport and the serenity offered by nature.
As a young man, Tom was proud to have fully built and customized a Model T hot rod while still in high school that was awarded a blue-ribbon trophy at the prestigious Grand National Roadster Show in 1971. Tom also never missed an auto race - whether IndyCar, NASCAR, Formula One or drag racing - whether attending in person or fixated while watching on television. And at gatherings at his home, he loved to grill for friends and family, often barbecuing duck, goose or wild boar that he'd brought home from a hunt.
Tom was a cherished and loving son who sacrificed and devoted much to the tireless care of his parents in their later years. He is survived by and was the most wonderful and beloved brother to his sister Stephanie Christian Scordelis and her husband Byron as well as by his adoring niece and nephews and their spouses: Marisa Scordelis (Gary Cummings), Alexander Scordelis (Melissa Seley), and Stephen (Mary) Scordelis, and by his grand-niece and nephews Theodora, George, Nathan and Niko Scordelis.
Tom was also blessed to be a part of a close and loving larger family, and is survived by his aunts Tula Krooskos and Betty Christian as well as his cousins Madeline (Krooskos) Dewan, Carolyn (Krooskos) Rainey, Dee Sotiros, Jim Sotiros, Stacie (Sotiros) Rechif, Patti (Theodorelos) Guzik, Dionne (Christian) Scholl, Lisa Christian, Peter Christian, and Tyrone Christian.
The story of Tom's amazing life would not be complete without a mention of his two loyal and treasured yellow Labrador Retrievers, Skeet and Chance, with whom he shared many years in the forests, fields, streams and rivers in pursuit of his love of the rugged outdoors.
Last but certainly not least, we also cannot even begin to find the words to express the depth of our appreciation to his blessed caregivers, Patty and Jorge, who provided an indescribable level of loving care and compassion to Tom during his illness. They were truly gifts from God to Tom and to all of us during those difficult years, and we will remain eternally grateful to them.
Friends and family are invited to attend the Trisagion Service at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension located at 4700 Lincoln Avenue in Oakland as well as to the Funeral Service to be held at the Cathedral beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26, which will be immediately followed by a Makaria luncheon in the Richmond Room at the Cathedral. The burial service will then take place at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
In remembrance of Tom's life, the family would respectfully ask that those wishing to do so offer a contribution in his name to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension at 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland 94602 or to Santa Clara University School of Engineering Scholarship Fund at www.scu.edu/givenow. May his memory be eternal.
For further information please call, Harry Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745) Alameda Funeral and Cremation Services, 510-522-6020