- Date Of Birth: January 6, 1961
- Date Of Death: July 1, 2021
- State: North Carolina
Christopher Melvin Washington was born to the union of Melvin Washington and Barbara A. Washington-Dade on January 6, 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He matriculated the Philadelphia school system before enlisting in the United States Army, completing basic military training and various other Advanced Technical Training courses. During his illustrious career spanning multiple decades, he served as a Printing and Bindery Specialist, a Combat Engineer, and a Dental Specialist. His duty locations included Ft Carson, CO, Germany, Panama (Just Cause), Iraq (Desert Storm/Desert Shield), and Ft Bragg, NC.
While serving in the military, he met and married his wife, Gail in 1982; to that union was born their daughter, Krista. At the end of his service, he resided in Raleigh, NC and worked as a service technician. He was a member of Greystone Baptist Church where he was an usher.
Christopher — or one of his loving nicknames “Chubby,” “Melly,” “Big Daddy,” “Father Washington” — was a lover of music and was a skilled handyman who often loved challenging repair projects. He was known for his love of grilling, hoagies, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
He leaves to mourn his legacy, his mother; wife; daughter; his sisters – Cathy Manning of NJ, Linda Braxton (James) of VA, Patricia Broadus (David) of NJ, and Kimberly Settles of NC; nieces and nephews that he loved with all his heart; his Pollard family gained through marriage; as well as a host of friends who he met along his journey.
Christopher is preceded in death by his father, Melvin Washington and his nephew, Christopher I. Settles.
A poem for my Son
Chris, who was and is the most loving and finest son a mother could ask for.
I cannot say, and I will not say that he is dead.
He is just away.
With a cherry smile, and a wave of the hand, he has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair it must be, since he lingers there.
Think of him faring on in the love of there as the love of here.
Think of him still as the same.
I say, he is not dead—he is just away.
Submitted by His Mother, Barbara A. Washington-Dade
