Ronald R. Christ Sr

Ronald R. Christ, Sr., 80 of Elkmont, passed away on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025, at Hospice Family Care. Mr. Christ was born on June 29th, 1944, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to LeRoy and Ione Thompson Christ. Mr. Christ is survived by his children Jessica Christ, Ronald Christ, Jr., (Melissa), and Joey Christ (Emily); grandchildren Caleb, Meredith, Laura, and Daniel; and sisters Joyce Dupre and Liz Christ. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Melinda Hobbs Christ; and brothers Lloyd Christ and Larry Christ. Funeral services for Mr. Christ will be Saturday, January 25th, 2025, at 2:00pm at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home, with Thom Porter officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 12:00-1:45pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at Athens Memory Gardens. Pallbearers: Jeff Bass, Jamey Hobbs, Brian Behrens, Chris Sharp, Casey Christ, John Gott, Colton Dupre, Bryce Copper, Bill Boldin Whether you knew him as “Ronald”, “Ronnie”, “Dad”, “Ron”, “Uncle Ronnie”, “Papa”, or “Big RC”, you know that he was one of a kind. He leaves behind a large family and many friends filled with many great memories. He was proud to have begun life in Lake Charles, Louisiana and proud to have spent much of his life in Elkmont, Alabama. If you’ve ever met him, his first question was “Where are you from?” Then he’d spend time trying to make a connection to you or someone close to you. His life was built around relationships because people mattered most to him. The individual that was most important was undoubtably his wife of over 52 years, Melinda “Linda” Hobbs. In 1965 Ronnie moved to Elkmont to live with his aunt, Jean Gott. One day while he was at Jean’s a beautiful redhead came to the door selling Avon. He didn’t buy any makeup, but he was “sold” on the girl. After the two married, life would change for the young ragin’ Cajun. The bad boy’s Shelby Mustang became a thing of the past as three kids came along. All of the sudden, he found himself driving a Choo Choo Custom van. As time passed, two great daughters-in-law were added to the family and the five became seven. Eventually seven grew to eleven once grandchildren came into the picture. That was a proud picture for the once wild, rebellious young Cajun. That picture is what he built his life around, and why he worked so hard. He was definitely a man of faith and simple pleasures. On Sundays he could be found at Elkmont Methodist Church. On Saturdays he enjoyed hunting, shooting guns, cheering for the Crimson Tide, and spending time with family. If he wasn’t out on his tractor, he was likely in his La-Z-Boy recliner with the remote in his hand and something to drink in the other. Anyone was welcome to walk straight in without knocking, have a seat and start swapping stories. Just remember, “the first liar doesn’t stand a chance”. If he wasn’t in north Alabama, he was either in Lake Charles visiting family or Mississippi visiting his sister. No matter where he was, you could likely find a grill and cold beverage nearby, a smile on his face, and every hair just where he wanted it. Ron spent the early part of his career working as a pipefitter for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 760. After spending many years driving long distances out to Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant, he went to work at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1985. Then with three active kids and a wife working two jobs, he decided to finish his bachelor’s degree. In 1991, he graduated with a B.S. in Business from Athens State University. Ironically, it was the same year that his daughter graduated from Elkmont High School. After that he spent the rest of his career in management on various contracts at MSFC. Ron retired in 2011.

Ronald R. Christ Sr

June 29, 1944 - January 21, 2025