Lawrence Neil Christie, 88, known to most as 'Christie,' passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on July 18, 2006, surrounded by those he loved.

He was born Sept. 9, 1917, to Peter and Polly (Brandow) Christie in Sanger, Calif. His school years were spent in Sanger, and in 1933 he joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1937 aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Ranger.

In 1944, while working in the Bremerton, Wash., shipyards, he met the love of his life, Nadine Landon, and they were married Jan. 5, 1945. They celebrated 61 years of marriage this year.

The majority of his adult life was spent farming in Raisin City, Calif., where he lived for 30 years. In 1979, he and Nadine retired and moved to Kalispell to be near family and friends.

When parting from him after a visit, he would use the expression, 'Love ya and miss ya.' It's now our turn to tell him the same. So we say, 'Goodbye, Christie, we love ya and are sure going to miss ya.'

He was preceded in death by his sister, Nadine Lake, and grandson, Brent Christie.

He is survived by his wife, Nadine Christie, of Kalispell; one son, Larry Christie, and wife, Shirley, of Post Falls, Idaho; one granddaughter, Joy Harmon; two great-grandsons, Brandon and Justin Purse; one great-great-grandson, Braxton Harris; one brother, Clifford Christie; one sister, Darlene Christie; one sister-in-law, Grace Watters, and her companion, Bob Wilkerson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim Landon and wife, Nancy, Frank Landon and wife, Phyliss, Don Landon and wife, Gloria, Verna Landon, and Gladys Landon; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services for Lawrence Christie will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21, at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. today, July 20, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel.

The family suggests memorials be given to the charity of your choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Lawrence's Family.