Pete Christie 1946-2024
John Phillip “Pete” Christie, 77, of Grand Lake, Colo., unexpectedly passed away on June 19, 2024, at Abrazo Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., with his family by his side.
Pete was born Oct. 20, 1946, in Atchison, the son of John and Virginia (Phillips) Christie and grandson of James and Nellie Christie. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Pete grew up on the family farm east of Effingham. While growing up, he was an active part of the livestock operation of J.A. Christie and Sons, alongside his dad and granddad. He attended Effingham Grade School and graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1964. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University) in 1968 with a degree in industrial arts education. He taught school briefly at Jay Schideler Middle School in Topeka.
He worked for Penn Mutual Insurance Company in Topeka, Triple I in Kansas City and later started his own business, Options 111, a technology recruitment company. Upon retirement, Pete spent his time enjoying the Colorado mountains that surrounded his home at Grand Lake, Colo., where family and friends often congregated along with his fur buddies, Willie and Buddy.
Pete married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Smith from Arrington, in 1966. They later divorced.
He is survived by his three children, Doug Christie, Denver, Colo., Lori Suttman (Steve), Denver, Colo., and Brad Christie (Kelly) of Palm Beach Garden, Fla.; four grandchildren Taryn Christie, Linkin Christie, Lauren Buckley and James Buckley; two sisters, Sandy Baumgardner (Jerry) of Emporia and Peggy Tuley (Dean) of Holton; and several nieces and nephews.
Pete was an avid Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs fan. He also had an intense interest and knowledge of politics. Friends often suggested that he should have run for a political office.
Memorial graveside services for Pete will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Monrovia Cemetery east of Effingham. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
