June 6, 1927 – April 9, 2019
Byron “Barney” Earl Christianson, 91, of Sweet Home died April 9, 2019 at the Veterans Home in Lebanon.
He was born June 6, 1927 in Kansas City, Mo. to Conroy F. and Frances (Erickson) Christianson, the third of four sons.
He grew up in La Verne, Calif., moving to Medford when he was in the eighth grade. He lived in California, Medford, Hawaii, Philomath, Corvallis, Utah, Texas, Eugene and Sweet Home.
Mr. Christianson graduated from Medford High School and went straight into the United States Navy. He served for over six years, as a corpsman. Discharged in 1949, he was recalled to active duty for the Korean conflict in April 1951, sent by ship to Japan then to Korea.
He served in the Medical Battalion, 1st Marines, Fleet Marines, and then 2nd battalion, 1st Marines as a company corpsman on live duty. He was discharged in September 1952.
Mr. Christianson met Nellie Hollingsworth and they married Dec. 30, 1952. They lived in the Philomath and Corvallis area, raising three children, Gloria, Michael and Karla. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Oregon State University.
He worked 10 years in the beverage business, including in a bottling plant as a production manager. He also spent six years in the field, representing the western half of the United States and Canada as an engineer in quality control for Pepsi-Cola and Dr. Pepper companies. Mr. Christianson was also a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists.
Health issues steered his working career in a different direction. He worked in the film industry from 1969 to 1987, working for Gemini Films, Inc., Dawn Cinema, Inc., Pacific International Enterprises, American International and Media Taping Enterprises.
His duties ranged from the purchasing and scheduling of all television commercials to support film distribution throughout the United States and Canada. Television advertising he scheduled included such films as “Alaskan Safari,” “Cougar Country,” “North Country,” “Bigfoot” and “Wilderness Family.”
Mr. Christianson retired to take care of his wife, who had health issues. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. He had a twinkle in his eye for all. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit that kept acquaintances on their toes.
He loved riding motorcycles, rock hounding, gardening and wood working. He also hunted for Bigfoot. He enjoyed sitting in the sun talking about Hawaii.
Mr. Christianson is survived by his three children, Gloria and son-in-law AJ Modisette, Michael Christianson, and Karla and son-in-law Ken Loree; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Christianson; mother, Frances Christianson; and three brothers, Conroy (Pat) Christianson, Buford (Bud) Christianson and Francis (Franny) Christianson.
A graveside service, with military honors for family and close friends, will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Gilliland Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow from noon to 2 p.m. at the Lebanon Veterans Home, 600 N. 5th Street, Lebanon.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.