James ‘Jim’ ‘Chris’ F. Christensen

Jim was born August 6, 1936 in Escanaba, Mich. the son of Edward and Marie (Bartley) Christensen. He attended and graduated from Escanaba High School class of 1954.

Jim spent four years of military service with the United States Air Force. Most of it was spent in Limestone, Maine as a radar technician. After his honorable discharge he returned to Escanaba where he was employed at Harnischfeger, Chicago & North Western Railroad, and City of Escanaba as a firefighter. When the fire and police departments consolidated in the 1970s he attended his Public Safety training in Marquette, Mich. He later earned a degree in law enforcement from Bay de Noc Community College. He received several recognitions during his years of duty.

Jim was united in marriage to Judy Norman on August 12, 1961 and they welcomed their son Edward to the world on April 26, 1970. They resided in Escanaba until they built their retirement home in Stonington. There, Jim had a woodworking shop where he especially enjoyed building birdhouses and later building the Escanaba Series of Present and Historical buildings.

Jim is survived by his wife Judy, son Edward of Green Bay, Wis. and sister Mary Ellen Anderson of Danforth, Mich.

Preceded in death by infant daughter Christine, parents Edward and Marie Christensen, brothers Edward, Arthur, and Roy, Sister Jane Schafer.

He was very active in the community serving as president of the Firefighters Union, and was elected and served 11 years on the Escanaba School Board and four years on the Escanaba City Council. He also was a long standing member of the American Legion. Jim was proud to be aboard the UP Honor Flight on May 22, 2019.

Family will receive friends on Friday, August 2, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. with military honors following and a last call with the Escanaba Public Safety. A luncheon will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Jim will be laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Stonington, Mich. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Christensen family. To offer a message of sympathy please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.