Andrew Henry Christian

Andrew Henry Christian, 85, died at his home in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Virginia Randolph Walker Christian; by his eldest son, Andrew Henry Christian Jr. and Linda Carlile of Micanopy, Florida; by his second son, Scott Shackelford Christian and his wife, Helen Forrest deButts Christian of Marshall, Virginia; by his daughter, Virginia Randolph Christian Beach and her husband, Edward Dana Beach, of Charleston, South Carolina; by his grandchildren, Nellie Christian Beach, Francis Dana Beach, Forest Saxon Christian, Dare Sherman Frey and Morgan MacGregor Sherman; and by his sisters, Nellie Rennolds Christian Opie of Staunton, Virginia, and Archer Christian Burke of Richmond, Virginia. Andy was born on January 26, 1921, in Richmond, Virginia, son of Andrew Dunscomb Christian and Nellie Addison Rennolds Christian. He graduated from St. Christopher's School in 1939, and in January of 1943, he graduated from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall. Immediately upon graduation, Andy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served with the 4th Marine Division in the Central Pacific Theater Campaigns of World War II on the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, where he witnessed his fellow Marines raising the American flag during their costly but successful assault. Andy was awarded the Bronze Star and was wounded twice in combat, receiving the Purple Heart with a Gold Star. After Iwo, he received a battlefield commission and later was called back into service as a first lieutenant during the Korean War. Following his military service, Andy returned to Richmond and continued a 40-year career in the tobacco industry with Liggett & Myers and United States Tobacco companies. Devoted to his family, his community and his church, he served three terms on the Vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church; was a former president of the Alumni Board of St. Christopher's School; a member of the Society of the Cincinnati; and a member of the Richmond German, the Jiggers and The Country Club of Virginia. Like his father and uncle, Archer Christian, Andy was an avid sportsman. At age 14, he won the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Championship. At St. Christopher's, he was captain of the football and basketball teams, playing both center and linebacker in football and leading the Saints to an undefeated and unscored season. Andy went on to letter in tennis, basketball and baseball for the University of Virginia. He also learned to play Bridge at an early age from his father, and enjoyed the game all of his life. Andy and Ginna retired to Charleston, South Carolina, in 2000, where they joined St. Michael's Episcopal Church and have resided at Bishop Gadsden. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. A private burial will take place prior to the service, and a memorial service will be held at Bishop Gadsden in Charleston, South Carolina, on Saturday, June 10, at 3 p.m. Memorials may be sent to St. Christopher's School, 711 St. Christopher's Rd., Richmond, Va. 23226; St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 9th and Grace Streets, Richmond, Va. 23219; Bishop Gadsden, One Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, S.C. 29412; or the S.C. Coastal Conservation League, P.O. Box 1765, Charleston, S.C. 29402.