Jon Eric Christensen

Jon Eric Christensen, 44, of Summerville, died Jan. 6 at Grande Ronde Hospital of natural causes.

A celebration of life begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in La Grande. A potluck meal and reception will follow at the church.

Jon was born Dec. 17, 1964, to Gail Wickman and Richard Christensen in Portland. Jon grew up in Corvallis and moved to La Grande his senior year of high school, graduating with the class of 1983. He attended Eastern Oregon State College, earning a bachelor of science degree in chemistry with a minor in geology in 1988.

Jon married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Gilmore, on March 26, 1988. The couple moved to Tri-Cities in 1989 where Jon worked as a chemist for Westinghouse Hanford Co. for six years.

In 1995 Jon and Kathy returned to La Grande where Jon returned to school, earning a bachelor of science degree in soil science from Oregon State University in 1997. Jon also worked as a production supervisor for Lamb-Weston for two years. For the past 10 years, Jon worked as an environmental engineer for Boise Cascade.

Jon's family was the most important part of his life. He coached both his boys in soccer and baseball for several years. He frequently drove to Imbler Elementary to have lunch with his children. He loved taking walks and riding bikes and motorcycles with his family. One of his favorite pastimes was hiking through the family's property and teaching his wife and children the names of the various native plants. Jon also loved taking his family to Tillamook and Rockaway Beach and was never afraid to put his feet in the Pacific Ocean.

Jon enjoyed golfing, hunting and shooting with his sons, brothers, Jay and Tim, brother-in-law Steve Gustafson and other close friends. He especially liked taking money from his buddies while playing Texas Hold ‘Em. He had a wonderful sense of humor and no one was spared his good-natured teasing and practical jokes, family members said.

Those who knew Jon say he made a memorable impression on everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons, Wyatt and Garrett Christensen, of Summerville; mother, Gail Wickman of Bend; brothers, Jay Christensen and his wife, Terre, of Springfield and Tim Christensen of La Grande; stepfather, Boyd Wickman, of Bend; seven nieces and nephews; one great-niece; and the in-law families of Gilmore and Gustafson. Jon was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Richard and Nancy Christensen.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Imbler Education Foundation.

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