Albert Christian

Albert Dawson Christian Sr. NORTHPORT Albert Dawson Christian Sr., age 95, of Northport, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, surrounded by his family. Visitation will be tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 1, 2012, at St. Mark United Methodist Church with Rev. John Verciglio and Rev. John Drawhorn officiating. Graveside services will follow at Memory Hill Gardens with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Mr. Christian was preceded in death by his parents, Zula Abston and Levi Wilson Christian; his wife, Lucile Bobbitt Christian; his daughter, Shirley Christian Anders; grandson, Albert Christian Anders; and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son, Albert Dawson Christian Jr. (Millie) of Tuscaloosa; son-in-law, Richard Rodger Anders Sr. (Trudi) of Northport; grandchildren, Virginia Anders Sain (Billy), Dr. Meredith Christian McCracken (Matt), Richard Rodger Anders Jr. (Heather), Ashley Christian Green (Jeb), and Amy Christian Graves (Kent), all of Tuscaloosa; and 11 great-grandchildren. Mr. Christian was born and raised in Windham Springs, Alabama to humble beginnings. In 1936, he moved to Tuscaloosa where he worked and later graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1939. He began his service in the United States Army in 1941 when he was the first person drafted from Tuscaloosa County for World War II. As a member of the 87th Engineers, he participated in four amphibious landings during World War II, including those in North Africa, Italy, and the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. After serving more than 30 heroic months of heavy battle, Mr. Christian was given orders that he could return home to Tuscaloosa. Once home, he remained on active duty until 1947, at which time he began his service in the National Guard where he worked as the sole operator of the Post Exchange until the mid-1960s. As a World War II veteran, he was recently selected by the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. In addition to managing the family-owned business Union Furniture Company for more than 40 years, Mr. Christian contributed tirelessly to numerous civic organizations throughout his adult life. In 1955, he established the Northport Lions' Club where he served in several roles including President and Secretary and maintained perfect attendance for 57 years. He also served as the President of the Alabama Lions Sight Conservation. His great efforts within the Lions' Club were recognized through local and state awards, including the Lion International Master Key Award, Lion of the Year Award, and Lion of the Year Award for the State of Alabama. Mr. Christian also participated in the Easter Seals of West Alabama and served on the Northport City Council. He was recognized with a multitude of civic awards through his work with the Easter Seals, The Zula Walters Award for Camp Seale Harris, was named as the Northport Citizen of the Year in 1979, and was inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame in 2009. In addition to his military and civic service, he played a vital part in the overall progression of the educational system within Tuscaloosa County. Mr. Christian served on the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education from 1965 until 1970, during which time he was an instrumental leader in the desegregation of the Tuscaloosa County school system, inarguably the most explosive state of affairs that the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education has ever encountered. Mr. Christian played a strong part in the expansion of Christianity within the community as a member of Gideons International for 35 years and, most notably, through the establishment of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Northport. He assisted in the acquisition of land and funds to begin the building of St. Mark United Methodist Church. As a charter member of St. Mark, he served on countless church committees, taught Sunday school classes, served as the church's only Treasurer for more than 30 years, and was fondly known as the "Gum Man" for distributing chewing gum to all of the children each Sunday. As a certified lay speaker with the United Methodist Church, he also provided support to many outlying churches within Tuscaloosa County by serving as an interim minister. In spite of all of the contributions Mr. Christian made throughout his life, he remained a faithful and strong presence within his family. He most enjoyed spending time fishing with his son and grandchildren or visiting with his many dear friends. Pallbearers will be Knute Christian, Aaron Christian, Billy Sain, Kent Graves, Jeb Green, Dr. Matt McCracken, Dr. Norman Carlson, and Bob Green. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Northport Lions' Club, St. Mark United Methodist Church Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class, and his nurses and healthcare workers at Heritage Nursing Home. Special thanks to Virginia Hallman, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Green, Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Falgout, friends and family of St. Mark United Methodist Church, and the employees of Union Furniture Company. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church.