- Date Of Birth: February 14, 1926
- Date Of Death: June 29, 2018
- State: North Carolina
John Ernest Christ, Jr., 92, of Concord, NC, passed away Friday, June 29, 2018, surrounded by his loving family at Taylor Glen in Concord.
John was born February 14, 1926 in Mineola, NY to the late John Ernest Christ, Sr., and the late Anna Bergold Christ. John graduated from Hicksville High School and enlisted in the US Navy V-12 Program. He attended both Hobart College and Northwestern University and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. Following his Navy discharge, John changed direction when he enrolled in Divinity School. He studied at Hamma Divinity, Hartford Theological Seminary and the University of Zurich. John married Freda Feldkircher, the love of his life, in 1951, was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in 1953, and began his life of service to God, his family, and his community.
John served in parishes in the Bronx, Endwell, Buffalo and Snyder (NY). He worked more than 20 years as the director of the Lutheran Coordinated Ministry of Buffalo. After retiring, John continued to serve as an interim and supply pastor in St. Petersburg and Largo, the greater Charlotte area, and Holland America Cruise lines. John continued his life of service as a member of the Kairos Team of Ministry to Foothills Correctional Institution in Morganton, NC.
But John will be remembered most for the unconditional love he had for God and family, friends, and even strangers. It was a privilege to know and love John as a husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, minister, and friend.
John is survived by his wife of 66 years, Freda Feldkircher Christ; sons, John III (Russie), Paul (Anne), and Peter (Mary); daughter, Becky Goodell (Bart); brother, Jim (Maxine); sister, Mary Dunbar; grandsons, Ryan (Lauren), Colin (Han), Alex, David, Sam and Elijah; granddaughters, Lisa, Anna, and Emma; and great-grandson, Chase.