Brant Lee Christianson

Brant Christianson, 41, died Nov. 5, 2006 as a result of a motorcycle accident on Highway 20 in Skagit County. He was born Dec. 7, 1964 in Olympia and was adopted from the hospital by Ben and Betty Christianson.

Brant was raised in Benton City, Wash., and graduated from Kiona High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1984 and was sent first to boot camp in San Diego and then to Memphis, Tenn. He served as Aircrew in VAW127 and VQ2 and served as an instructor at SERE School.

In 1988 Brant met the love of his life, Marilyn. They were married in December of that year in Virginia Beach, Va. He was the ideal husband and father. He always considered his family in everything he did and wanted the best for his two girls, so much so that for several years he and Lyn home-schooled both children.

Brant was a jack-of-all-trades and master of many: from rebuilding a home to working on his sailboat, to being an absolute genius with computers. Any task he took on, he would study and master. His desire to learn and grow led him back to school where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Nursing.

In 1998 Brant received his commission as an ensign in the US Navy and served as a nurse at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor. In 2004 the family was transferred to San Diego and earlier this year they returned to Whidbey, where he was again assigned to NHOH.

Brant loved motorcycling and had ridden for many years. He also loved rock climbing, photography, and hiking. At one point the family decided to simplify their life together and moved aboard a sailboat. Brant had never sailed, but took a sailing course and studied very hard. Within a short time the family picked up their boat in the San Juan Islands and sailed it home. They spent nearly five years aboard the sailboat, which says a lot about the character of the whole family who were living in such close quarters.

Among his other attributes, Brant was a martial arts instructor. He held a third degree black belt in Uechi, which is the Okinawan style of karate. He opened his own Dojo in Oak Harbor where he involved his wife and daughters in the many classes he taught.

His family, friends and the Navy community he served for so many years will sorely miss Brant. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, at the family home along with his two daughters Jennifer and Alicia. He also leaves his mother, Betty Christianson of Roosevelt, Utah, and a brother, Blaine, of Kennewick.

A memorial service for Brant will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Whidbey Presbyterian Church in Oak Harbor.

Family and friends have suggested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to an educational fund established for Jennifer and Alicia at Whidbey Island Bank. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.