Dr. Percy Herbert “Chris’ Christian

June 28, 1927 - May 10, 2015
OPELOUSAS - Funeral services were held for Dr. Percy Herbert “Chris" Christian, 87, of Opelousas, at the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel in Opelousas at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 13. Burial followed in the Myrtle Grove Cemetery.
Dr. Christian passed away quietly, surrounded by family and loved ones, in his home on Sunday, May 10, 2015, after a prolonged illness at the age of 87. He was born in Opelousas on June 28, 1927. He was a graduate of Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1950. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School and Louisiana State University, where he was an LSU cheerleader.
He was the Class of ’44 at Opelousas Senior High. After graduation from optometry school, he returned to Opelousas to start his family and build his thriving optometry practice, serving St. Landry Parish for over 53 years. He built his family home in Opelousas in 1958, where he remained until his death.
He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Elks Lodge 1048. He was instrumental in the creation of the Sportsman’s League (to refurbish the boating docks and replenishing the deer population within the parish). He was a recreational pilot and built his own racing boat while participating in many competitions on False River and surrounding bayous.
His hobbies included photography, hunting and fishing in Pecan Island and Mexico, flying his plane and working in his workshop. Above all else, he was a wonderful father and grandfather. His family meant the world to him.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Wilda Savoy Christian; four children, Margaret Christian Gaddis and her husband, Ken, Van Christian and his wife, Karen, Christy Thomas Stoll and Bob, and Mark Christian and his wife, Rita; two step-daughters, Skye Christian and Jorge Shipley; 13 grandchildren, Courtney, Chris, Keelie, Ashley, Casey, Sommer, Piper, Loren, Christina, Candice, Christopher, C.L. and Nicholas; 24 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joy Christian Lain.
He was preceded in death by his father, Errol Pete Christian; his mother, Margaret Lorena Higginbotham Christian; one grandson, Don Michael Gaddis II; and one brother-in-law, James M. “Jim” Lain Jr.
Pall bearers were Casey Gaddis, Richard Cloy, Blake Speyrer, Adam Thibodeaux, Ryan Arceneaux and Byron Briggs. Honorary pall bearers were Christian Henslee, Jim Tatman, Manny Veltin and Ike Chachere.
Visiting hours were held at the Sibille Funeral Home in Opelousas on Tuesday, May 12, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. On Wednesday, May 13, visitation resumed at the funeral home beginning at 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Elks service was held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, May 12, in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Chris’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family would like to extend special thanks to his caregivers: Gloria, Claudia, Audrey, Darlene, Pam and Marita. They would also like to thank the staff of Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their excellent services and his nurse, Ailee.
Rev. Perry Hubbs officiated.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.
Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas was in charge of arrangements.