Kingsport - Staff Sgt. Rusty Hunter Christian, 24, a U.S. Special Forces soldier, of Ft. Lewis, Orting, Wash. (formerly of Greeneville, TN) died on Thursday, January 28, 2010, in Afghanistan, from wounds suffered in an improvised explosive devise (IED) blast. Staff Sgt. Christian, a Green Beret, had been stationed at Camp Cobra in Afghanistan since the first week of January.
Survivors include his loving wife, Amber Walker Christian; his daughter, Taylor Christian and son, Gavin Christian, all of the home; parents, Jim and Donna Morelock Ball, of Kingsport; father, Michael Christian of Mt. City, TN; brother, Aaron Christian and wife, Danielle of Gray, TN; grandparents, J.D. and Joan Ball of Kingsport; favorite aunt, Debra Culbertson; and two special cousins, Jeremy Culbertson and Laura Templeton.
A reception for his family and friends was held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Meadowview Conference Center in Kingsport, beginning at 5pm. Remembrances of Staff Sgt. Christian were offered by members of his military unit starting at 6 pm. That was followed by a song and a eulogy by his brother, Michael Aaron Christian.
Military graveside services will be at 3 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors being rendered by the U.S. Army.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Tennessee Bank, 1101 N. Eastman Road, Kingsport, TN 37660.
Carter-Trent funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Christian family.
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Carter Trent Memorials:
From: Robin Hawkins
robinhawkins@eastman.com
Date: 02/23/2010
I am so sorry for your loss of your son and I know that you are very proud of him. I am an Army mother and I don't know what you are feeling but my heart goes out to all of his family. May god bless you all but remember God needed a very special angel.
From: Church of the Invisible Empire
granddragon2007@yahoo.com
Date: 02/22/2010
We would like to express our deepest symapthy to your family for your loss. We are so very grateful to have such brave men and women, who are willing to give their lives for our freedom. God bless you for raising such a strong and brave man. May God be with you and your family during this sad time and keep you strong. Always be proud that he gave his life fighting for his country. Our prayers are with you.
From: janice osborne
ginjam20@aol.com
Date: 02/22/2010
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious son. I do not know you, but my heart is heavy for each family that loses a member of the military. I sincerely appreciate your son's service to our great country. I have great respect for our military members. My prayers for your peace in comfort during this sad time. May God bless and keep you.
From: Stan, Susan, Jack and Reagan Thomas
sasthomas@bellsouth.net
Date: 02/10/2010
We are so saddened by the loss of your son, but proud that he was such a brave and talented soldier for America. What a blessing it was for him to use his talents for our country.
We enjoyed living next to your family in Greeneville back in 1997 and enjoyed seeing your boys grow up. We now have 2-yr. old twin boys of our own, so we can understand how the loss of a child could be so devastating. We will be praying for your family and Rusty's family during this difficult time.
Love,
Stan, Susan, Jack, and Reagan Thomas
From: Peggy Meade
peggyhiltons@aol.com
Date: 02/10/2010
Donna and family,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Jim told me when he called. I wanted to attend the memorial service Saturday, but was unable to.
I have only known you for two or three years, but feel like I have known you all my life.
Love and Prayers
Peggy
From: C. Ron Lewis
crsflewis@yahoo.com
Date: 02/09/2010
To Ms. Donna Ball and the family of SSG Rusty Christian. On behalf of myself, MSG Charles Hardin, USASF, Ret., MSG Paul Low, USASF, Ret., and SFC Ron Simpson, USASF, Ret., express our deepest sympathy for your loss. God bless and give you peace at such a stressful time.
C. Ron Lewis, MSG, United States Army, Special Forces Ret.
From: Teresa Marshall
TM7679@aol.com
Date: 02/08/2010
Donna and family, Donnie and I were so sorry to hear about Rusty's death. We weren't able to attend the memorial service but you all have been in our thoughts and prayers since we heard the news. May God be with you all during this heartbreaking time. I am so very sorry. Love and prayers, Donnie and Teresa
From: Faye Shipley
tnnana_2@comcast.net
Date: 02/07/2010
Donna and Rusty's family, I am so very sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Rusty gave the ultimate sacrifice for us and we appreciate him and all who serve this nation with pride.
From: Brenda Bible
trigger58@comcast.net
Date: 02/07/2010
To Donna and the rest of Rusty's family; You are in my thoughts and prayers. Rusty is and was a hero.
From: Shhelia Hicks Bellamy
BellamyFS@dishmail.net
Date: 02/07/2010
Donna, my heart aches for you and your family, I thank your son, Staff Sgt.Rusty Christian for his brave duty to our country. My Husband and I have the upmost respect for your son and all military men and women serving our country. My Husband is retired Army, 24 years, through his time in service he always made sure that his men and women came first. Your son was a great roll model for all that knew him and loved him. We thank Rusty for all his hard work and sacrifices he made for us and our country. As young girls we would play together I'll never forget you as a friend. Please know that my Husband and I are here for you anytime day or night and if we can be of any assistance to you and your family we are here. Frank has told me many stories about his experience in service, I fell sorrow and pain for you and we will have you in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and your family every step of the way each and every day, Love and prayers are with you. Ken and Ruth Hicks would also like to tell you that they are also thinking of you and your loss and their prayers are with all of you. May God comfort you and your family and give you the strenght to make it thoutgh this difficult time, With love and Rememberance of your son Staff Sgt. Rusty Christian.
From: Lawrence Smith
lsmith731@yahoo.com
Date: 02/07/2010
So sorry for your lost.I don't known any of you.I have a son in the Army also.May God comfort you .Only special people join the military during war time.Sgt.Christian was special.
From: Judy Rader
jprader112944@embarqmail.com
Date: 02/06/2010
Donna, I am so very, very sorry about your loss. You have my utmost sympathy. I, too, have moved back to Kingsport. Please get in touch with me when you feel like it and I would like to take you to lunch. I always thought the world of you. Love and sympathy, Judy Rader
From: Terri Hensley Ramey
zllr2@charter.net
Date: 02/06/2010
My prayers and sympathy are with you. My nephew is serving in Iraq right now. I want you to know how proud of your son, husband, father that I am. I thank him for his service to protect me and my family. May God be with you and comfort you today and always. Terri Ramey and Violet Nuckels
From: Valerie Lane
xxlane@yahoo.com
Date: 02/06/2010
Donna & Family
I was sorry to hear about Rusty. You have my love and prayers. Valerie.
From: Carol Stewart
cstewart@timesnews.net
Date: 02/06/2010
Donna I'm so sorry about Rusty. I remember well when he was born. I really can't imagine what you are going through but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and have been ever since I heard about it. Rusty was a hero and I know you have always been proud of both of your boys. I really would like to get in touch with you soon amd somehow I will. Love to you always.
From: Timothy Alan Estrada
blackcoyoteranch@yahoo.com
Date: 02/06/2010
My family is grateful for your sons service and sacrafice for our freedoms. We are sad for your lost, and send our prayers to your family.
From: Lori Cogan
lcogan1@gmail.com
Date: 02/06/2010
I have not the words to honor your son and acknowledge the pain and pride you must feel. My son is serving in the same special forces group as Rusty's in Afghanistan. They held a "celebration of life" for Rusty last week. As you know, theirs is a tight knit brotherhood. May the strength of God and family and the special forces community be with you. Please know that Rusty - and his great sacrifice - will always be honored and not forgotten.
From: Gaynell,Donnaand Susan
www.niyalily@yahoo.com
Date: 02/05/2010
Donna we are so sorry for your loss and know you and your family are in our prayers.
From: David & Sheila Jackson
davesheilajackson@yahoo.com
Date: 02/05/2010
As an Army mother I am praying for you. I do not personally know any of you but as an Army mother we are one. Please know how proud we are of your son, husband, father etc for his service to our country. May you know how much we appreciate his protecting us. He paid the ultimate sacrifice and my family will be eternally gratefull to him. I will hold you up in prayer as this is sure to be one of the most difficult times in your lives. My son has served two tours in Afghanistan and will be returning there soon. May God get you through this difficult time. Just know there are others out here praying for your family.
From: Pat Johnson
patsy.johnson@comcast.net
Date: 02/05/2010
Iam so sorry for your loss.You are in my prayers.
From: Bill and Marsha Vanderpool
keepudry1@aol.com
Date: 02/05/2010
We do not know any of you but felt that we should tell you how sorry that we are for your loss, this young man died protecting us and for that we are very thankful. May God wrap His arms around each of you and comfort you as only He can. We will remember you in our prayers.
From: benny l boggs
cuzinben53@yahoo.com
Date: 02/05/2010
to the family of staff sgt christan heart felt sympathy i and my family appreciate the service to his country he is a hero may god comfort youand your family you are in our prayers sincerely benny & susanne boggs
From: Connie Edwards Calhoun
gccalhoun2@yahoo.com
Date: 02/04/2010
Donna, I am so sorry to hear about your son. I can not imagine what you are going through, but even when we were growing up you had a lot of faith in God and He will help you through this. I think of you often and will pray for all of you. Love, Connie
From: Ivan and Diann Fillers
dfillers@yahoo.com
Date: 02/04/2010
Thank you so much to the Christian family for your sacrifice, so we may remain a free country. Rusty Christian is a true hero. You will be in our prayers.
As northeast Tennesseans now living near Washington D.C.if your sons burial is not a private service we would count it an honor to attend.
Army parents,
Ivan and Diann Fillers
From: Nancy Christian
MRCMSPASSY@AOL.COM
Date: 02/04/2010
I WAS RUSTYS STEPMOTHER AND I LOVED HIM IF HE WAS MINE. HE IS NOW WITH MY SON, RAYMIE IN HEAVEN. WHICH I LOST HIM AT A EARLY AGE LIKE RUSTY.ME AND HIS DAD HAD DID ALOT OF THINGS TOGETHER WITH RUSTY. WHICH I AM GLAD I HAD SPENT TIME WITH RUSTY.HE ONLY GOT TO KNOW ME FOR A SHORT TIME. AND I KNOW HE LOVE ME TO.
From: Donald Phillips
donald@harvesttimeproduction.com
Date: 02/04/2010
Mike,Donna, and Family, I am sorry to hear of your the loss of your son, I haven't seen you all in several years, but remember you all from Way of Life Church, I remember Mike, you were my S.S. Teacher. I appriciate the sacrifice that you son gave so that we could remain a free nation. Our prayers are with you all and may the God of all Comfort, comfory you in this time of sorrow.
Donald and Joanna Phillips family.
From: Vickie Spraberry
vspraberry@comcast.net
Date: 02/04/2010
My deepest sympathy to all of Rusty's family.
From: Pete and Kathy Trickey
trickey123@comcast.net
Date: 02/04/2010
Donna and Family,
Words cannot express how heartbroken we are for your family. We are proud to have known him and want to thank him for his ultimate sacrifice. All of you will be in our thought and prayers.
Love
Pete and Kathy Trickey
From: Stanley Taylor
stanley.taylor@tds.net
Date: 02/04/2010
With heartfelt sympathy, at this time.
From: Judi Wood
marinemomof6@yahoo.com
Date: 02/03/2010
To the family of Staff Sgt Rusty Christian - I want to express my deepest sympathy and thoughts during your lost. My son served two tours in Iraq so my heart aches for your family as i understand the scarifice and pride that feels your heart as your know your son, husband and father served his country and gave all for our freedoms. We as Americans dont take that sacrifice lightly and we thank Staff Sgt Christian for paying the ultimate sacrifice - Now our thoughts and prayers are with the family . I know you are so proud of him - but i can only imagine how your heart is broken - I do know GOD is with you and His Love and Grace and Strength will carry you thur these difficult days. I will be keeping you close in thoughts and prayers - GOD BLESS YOU ALL DURING THIS TIME
Judi Wood - a marine mom
From: Patty Tilson
patty.tilson@comcast.net
Date: 02/03/2010
Heartfelt sympathy for all the family.
Patty and Randy Tilson
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