Gerald Lloyd Christeson "Chris Sr." was born April 04, 1934, in Chewelah, Washington to "Ole" and Ethelyn Lois Christeson. Ole was a carpenter, while Ethelyn cooked in mining camps with Chris in tow. Eventually, they relocated to Spokane Washington.
Chris Sr. was a smart kid and a voracious reader; he graduated from North Central High School in 1952 and attended Gonzaga University. Upon realizing that dentistry would not make him happy; Chris began his military Career.
Flight School forged an exceptional Pilot. Chris celebrated his OTS graduation by planning a beach party. He was sent to purchase alcohol and promptly dropped the bottle in the parking lot. He was forced to sweet talk the Officers Club clerk for a new bottle. His sweet talk was on point and two weeks later Chris Sr. headed home to Spokane with a fiancée.
Chris's military service took him all over the world. He flew the B57 Canberra bomber during Vietnam and after the war transitioned to the KC 135, a refueler. After nearly 30 years Chris left the Air Force and was retired for a very short time. Soon the skies were calling again, and Chris began flying for United Airlines.
After retiring from United Chris Sr. settled down with Faye and family in Spokane.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 65 years Faye. He is survived by his children Chris Jr (Liz), Karen (Rick Swanson), Eric (Kim), Jon (Wendy), 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Please go to hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to view Chris's tribute page and share your memories of Chris.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Aug. 17, 2022.
Chris Sr. was a smart kid and a voracious reader; he graduated from North Central High School in 1952 and attended Gonzaga University. Upon realizing that dentistry would not make him happy; Chris began his military Career.
Flight School forged an exceptional Pilot. Chris celebrated his OTS graduation by planning a beach party. He was sent to purchase alcohol and promptly dropped the bottle in the parking lot. He was forced to sweet talk the Officers Club clerk for a new bottle. His sweet talk was on point and two weeks later Chris Sr. headed home to Spokane with a fiancée.
Chris's military service took him all over the world. He flew the B57 Canberra bomber during Vietnam and after the war transitioned to the KC 135, a refueler. After nearly 30 years Chris left the Air Force and was retired for a very short time. Soon the skies were calling again, and Chris began flying for United Airlines.
After retiring from United Chris Sr. settled down with Faye and family in Spokane.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 65 years Faye. He is survived by his children Chris Jr (Liz), Karen (Rick Swanson), Eric (Kim), Jon (Wendy), 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Please go to hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to view Chris's tribute page and share your memories of Chris.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Aug. 17, 2022.
Gerald Lloyd Christeson "Chris Sr." was born April 04, 1934, in Chewelah, Washington to "Ole" and Ethelyn Lois Christeson. Ole was a carpenter, while Ethelyn cooked in mining camps with Chris in tow. Eventually, they relocated to Spokane Washington.
Chris Sr. was a smart kid and a voracious reader; he graduated from North Central High School in 1952 and attended Gonzaga University. Upon realizing that dentistry would not make him happy; Chris began his military Career.
Flight School forged an exceptional Pilot. Chris celebrated his OTS graduation by planning a beach party. He was sent to purchase alcohol and promptly dropped the bottle in the parking lot. He was forced to sweet talk the Officers Club clerk for a new bottle. His sweet talk was on point and two weeks later Chris Sr. headed home to Spokane with a fiancée.
Chris's military service took him all over the world. He flew the B57 Canberra bomber during Vietnam and after the war transitioned to the KC 135, a refueler. After nearly 30 years Chris left the Air Force and was retired for a very short time. Soon the skies were calling again, and Chris began flying for United Airlines.
After retiring from United Chris Sr. settled down with Faye and family in Spokane.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 65 years Faye. He is survived by his children Chris Jr (Liz), Karen (Rick Swanson), Eric (Kim), Jon (Wendy), 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Please go to hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to view Chris's tribute page and share your memories of Chris.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Aug. 17, 2022.
Chris Sr. was a smart kid and a voracious reader; he graduated from North Central High School in 1952 and attended Gonzaga University. Upon realizing that dentistry would not make him happy; Chris began his military Career.
Flight School forged an exceptional Pilot. Chris celebrated his OTS graduation by planning a beach party. He was sent to purchase alcohol and promptly dropped the bottle in the parking lot. He was forced to sweet talk the Officers Club clerk for a new bottle. His sweet talk was on point and two weeks later Chris Sr. headed home to Spokane with a fiancée.
Chris's military service took him all over the world. He flew the B57 Canberra bomber during Vietnam and after the war transitioned to the KC 135, a refueler. After nearly 30 years Chris left the Air Force and was retired for a very short time. Soon the skies were calling again, and Chris began flying for United Airlines.
After retiring from United Chris Sr. settled down with Faye and family in Spokane.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 65 years Faye. He is survived by his children Chris Jr (Liz), Karen (Rick Swanson), Eric (Kim), Jon (Wendy), 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Please go to hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to view Chris's tribute page and share your memories of Chris.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Aug. 17, 2022.
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