Addis Joe Christian's Obituary
Addis Joe Christian was age 97 when he passed away peacefully at home on May 24, 2009. Chris, as he was known by his friends and co-workers, was born February 19, 1912 in a small community near Mart, Texas, to Bessie Mae and Robert Christian. As a young man he soon adopted Dallas as his home, where he met and married Ollie Omega Davis in 1932. They had one daughter, Anita Loette. At the start of World War II he joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. During World War II, he worked in construction to build barracks at Fort Hood, and then he worked in ship yards prior to moving to Dallas at the end of the war. In 1953 he was elected Business Representative for Dallas Carpenters’ Local Union #198 where he served for 18 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the North Central District Council of Carpenters, where, as Executive Secretary, he served 8 years until his retirement. During this time, he was elected President of the Texas State Council of Carpenters. As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship committee for Local Union #198 he had the opportunity to affect the lives of numerous young men entering the carpentry profession. He was also instrumental in negotiating Health and Welfare/Pension benefits into the contracts for the membership. Mr. Christian was a member of the Mike H. Thomas Masonic lodge and was a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite. He always enjoyed solving puzzles, of all types; he was an avid 42/84 domino’s player with a large circle of friends. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Bill Story; 3 grandchildren, Genita Selby and husband Tom, Teri Peterson, Dan Story and wife Becky; 2 great-granddaughters and 3 great-grandchildren. His surviving sister is Gladys (Polly) Hawkins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, and five brothers and sisters. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at Restland Funeral Home. A service will be held in A.J’s honor at 3:00 pm, Thursday, May 28, 2009 in Restland’s Wildwood Chapel, with interment to follow in Restland Memorial Park, Garden “F”.
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