One of Our Own, Killed

Obituary:

Mark S. Christian, age 54, of Bellingham, WA passed away on January 1, 2010 as the result of injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident. He was born on February 5, 1955 in Boston, MA to the late Howard and Marjorie Christian. Mark grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Boston College before moving to Los Angeles.

He lived in California for a time before moving to Seattle where he received a Master's Degree at the University of Washington. He later moved to Bellingham where he was a self-employed real estate appraiser. Mark loved the outdoors. He was a member of the track and field team at Boston College. He was an avid hiker, mountain climber, golfer and skier. He coached his daughter's soccer team.

Mark was very interested in bible study and the Scriptures and was an active member of Chuckanut Community Baptist Church. Mark is survived by his wife Cheryl (Toddhunter), son Adam of San Francisco and daughter Diana of Los Angeles. He was the brother of Howard, David, Emily, Magdalen and John Christian, Dorothy Baker and the late Carol Christian, all of Massachusetts. A celebration of Mark's life will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Chuckanut Community Baptist Church (1921 Fairhaven Avenue, Bellingham).

Source


Excerpt from Bellingham Herald:

A Bellingham man is dead after being struck by a stolen van driven by a teen in a hit-and-run accident on New Year's Day. The man who was fatally struck by a van on Chuckanut Drive on Friday evening, Jan. 1, died of blood loss from head injuries, according to the medical examiner.

18-year old Sean F. Crissy told police he was sending a text message, had been drinking, and was "tripping on mushrooms" at the time he struck and killed 54-year-old Mark Christian.

Christian's wife said her husband went on his evening walk Friday night. She reported him missing when he never returned.

...After striking Christian, Crissy allegedly drove the van to Arroyo Park, texted his father that the van had been stolen, and walked away. He never called for help for the man, but did text his friends telling them he'd been in a crash, according to KIRO TV News.

Crissy, according to Police spokesman Mark Young, was arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on Saturday on charges of suspicion of vehicular homicide.

The News Tribune reported Crissy has no felony convictions but has had several run-ins with police. His father, Franklin Crissy has a protection order against him because his son allegedly threatened and assaulted him.

Crissy's bail was set at $400,000.

Christian is survived by a wife and two children.

Source and Kiro4


WHAT WE CAN DO

This is an open letter to ask all appraisers to try (in spite of these difficult economic times) to make at least some small donation to his widow and family. Anyone interested in making a donation, no matter how small or large, can do so by sending a check made payable to Cheryl Christian in care of her church at;

Cheryl Christian c/o Pastor Paul L. Gibson
Chuckanut Community Baptist Church
1921 Fairhaven Avenue
Bellingham, Washington 98229

Anyone wishing to verify the information can contact Pastor Gibson at;
(360) 757-9376-Pastor-Gibson
(360) 422-7761-Message-and-Fax
Hulbush@hotmail.com

A memorial service for Mark S. Christian is being held on Saturday January 9th, 2010 at 2:00:PM at Chuckanut Community Baptist Church.

I'm asking that each of us to simply look in the mirror, then look at our families, think how the last two years have been "not so good for honest appraisers", and think if this had been you. A little bit from all of us is a lot. I know so many appraisers who right now could not afford to pay for their funeral - again, think if this had been you. Maybe you're a member of an appraisal organization, chapter, etc. I'm sure it would mean a lot to the family if the check or a note with it said it was from a fellow appraiser or appraisal group.

I've included below a few of the local news stories and links to television station video, etc. for you to view, verify and share. It will really make you stop and think. There but for the grace of God go all of us.

Thanks for your time and consideration, I hope that you'll do what you can. Please feel free to forward this email to any and all appraisers you know.

Sincerely,

George E. Nervik
From the AI Forum