On March 7, 2011, with his granddaughter Jessica by his side, Fred L. Christian left this adventure and embarked on the ultimate journey. Born Oct. 31, 1922, in Wright City, Okla., to Jack Andrew Christian and Verda (Smith) Christian, Fred and his family lived a hard farming life. Fred went to a one-room school housing K-12, but at 16 he went to Chickasha, Okla., and joined the Navy. He told us many stories of his adventures in the service, including a passage to the Antarctic in 1946.

He met and married Filomena “Mae” Volpe in 1947 in Westville, N.J. Married over 50 years, they moved several times, raising six children: five boys, Fred Jr. (Shari), Richard (Barbara), Robert (Kim), Jack (Patti) and Michael (Gail); and one daughter, Deborah (Michael Haun). In the sixties, they settled in Oak Harbor where Fred retired from the Navy. Originally, Fred ran a full service gas station down on Pioneer where the China Harbor now stands. He later bought land outside city limits and ran a gas station at the end of Goldie Road where the Main Navy Gate used to be. Towing cars and running his wrecking yard was Fred’s passion for over 40 years, working until he was 87. The wrecking yard reflected his early farming roots with its flocks of chickens and ducks, horses, cats, dogs, and even swans and peacocks at one time. You’ll still see his mules and wild ducks around the pond onsite.

Fred is survived by his six children, plus grandchildren Leah, Dustin, Trever, Jason, Joshua, Jessica, Treia, and Rachel, and numerous great-grandchildren.

The family wants to thank the staff at Harbor Care for their wonderful care and support. They made a difficult time easier to bear. We also want to thank Rachel Cook and Tyelynn Baker for their special care and humor in keeping Fred comfortable.

A celebration of Fred’s life will be Sunday, March 13, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Club. Please come and share the memories of a one-of-a-kind man who helped many of you on the side of the road.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Waif or some other animal cause would be appreciated. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.