Charlie Christian

Charlie Ray Christian passed away on May 11, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio, one day shy of his 71st birthday.

Most recently residing in Hilliard, Ohio, Charlie was born in Logan, WV, on May 12, 1951. He moved to Wapakoneta, Ohio, as a youngster, where he graduated from Wapakoneta High School. He went on to earn an Associate Degree in nursing and later earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Charlie worked many jobs, including as a butcher and a life insurance salesman. His favorite and most satisfying career was as a registered nurse. Though a stroke at age 50 left him unable to work as a nurse, he proudly reminded everyone, “Once a nurse, always a nurse.”

Always looking for a project, he had many hobbies. He loved spending time sprucing up his yard, raising ducks, helping neighbors, and arguing politics. His most recent undertaking was quilting. Together with his husband, he was able to piece together three quilt tops.

Charlie is survived by his loving husband of 24 years Mitch Gross; his sons Sean Christian, Adam Christian, and Austin Christian-Gross; his grandchildren Ashley Clark, Sophia Smith, Gracie Smith and Aleric Magnus; his siblings Bob (Maxine, deceased) Christian, Jim (Vickie) Christian, Marcy (Steve) Smith, and Wilma Armer; his godsons Ethan Parsons and Camden Gross; a great many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; an abundance of cousins, and lots of friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Della Mae and Daryl (aka Pete) Baldwin of Wapakoneta; his father and stepmother Charles E and Alice Christian of Piqua, OH; his daughter Nicole; and his niece Kimberly.

A special thanks goes to Charlie’s best neighborly friends Patty Sicilian and Kelly Dugan and to Diane Plessenger for your love and support before and through this difficult time.

There will be a memorial/Celebration of Life Sunday, June 26th at 3:00 pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W Weisheimer Rd, Columbus, OH 43214. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kobacker Hospice House (https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/) or another charity of your choosing.