Gunter, Texas -- Steven Ray Christian, 72, was born May 18, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and passed away at his home, in Gunter, Texas, on Monday, November 16, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray E. and Betty Jean (Colclasure) Christian.
He is survived by his wife Grant Christian, three sons, Mark S. Christian of Edmond, Oklahoma, Spencer R. Christian and his wife Jill of Warwick, Rhode Island, Eric S. Christian and his wife Jennifer of Sherman, Texas, and a brother, Richard L. Christian of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Steve was immensely proud of all five of his grandchildren, William B. Christian of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Caroline M. Christian of Notre Dame, Indiana, Harrison M. Christian of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Abigail R Christian and Emery M. Christian of Warwick, Rhode Island.
Steve graduated from Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri in 1966. He excelled at football and wrestling during high school and received the Col. H. C. Johnson Award for being the school's most distinguished athlete in 1966. After graduation, he returned to Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma State University, where he pursued a business degree and became a lifelong supporter of OSU.
Steve worked closely with his father, Ray E. Christian, who was a pioneer in Oklahoma's well servicing business.
From 1974 to 1986, Steve worked for Christian, Inc., a family-owned well servicing company that provided completion, workover, and well services to oil companies operating in Oklahoma. As the demand for domestic oilfield services increased during the 1970's, he opened 12 field offices in six years. By 1980, he had been instrumental in building the business into the largest privately held workover and well servicing company in the State of Oklahoma.
In 1986, Steve moved to Muscat, Oman where he managed the company's international division, Christian International, Ltd., which operated workover rigs in the Middle East and North Africa. He lived in Oman and Libya for the next 25 years and provided well services in some of the most remote oilfields on the planet.
After 40 years in the oil and gas business, he retired in 2011 and moved to Lake Texoma where he planned a quiet life with his wife, Grant. After discovering the lake life was a bit too quiet, he decided to start a second career by forming a real estate investment company in North Texas. Steve enjoyed buying and selling residential and commercial real estate and was active in his business until his passing.
Steve was famous for his joke-telling skills (even though he rarely made it to the punchline). He always started laughing before he got to the funny part. Then he would stop, take a deep breath, and try to recompose himself. The next few words would come out OK, but his infectious laughter would come roaring back so strong that he couldn't speak a word. He would end up crying with laughter, and so would everyone within earshot, even though he never got to the punchline.
We already miss his laughter. Steve was a proud husband, father, and grandfather, and he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a reliable friend and generous to all. Although he is in a better place, his family and friends will always miss him.
Funeral services for Steven R. Christian will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in the Chapel at Scoggins Funeral Home located at 637 W. Van Alstyne Parkway in Van Alstyne, Texas. Graveside services to follow. There will be no viewing, but the family will receive friends following the service. Social distancing will be in practice during the services and at the graveside, and masks are required during both services.
Services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory 637 W. Van Alstyne, Pkwy. Van Alstyne, TX. 75495. You may sign the online register book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.