Obituary of John Christian

John Allen Christian, 93, of Cary and resident of Carolina House of Cary, passed away Thursday evening, October 10, 2013 at Duke Raleigh Hospital.

Born April 13, 1920 in DuBois, PA, he was the son of the late John Alvin and Lillie Christian. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Ann Sedberry; identical twin brother, James Alvin Christian; sister, Rebekah Lines; brothers, Lynn Christian and Ross Christian.

John's education began in a one room school house in DuBois, PA. He later received his Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Animal Husbandry at Penn State University. John entered the Army Air Corps in July 1943 as a Second Lieutenant Communications officer. After he was discharged, he stayed in the Army Air Force Reserves until 1960, retiring with the rank of Major. He was employed in Meats research and teaching at the University of Connecticut from 1947 to 1955. John then moved to North Carolina in 1955 to take a position as a Meats Specialist in the Food Science Extension section at North Carolina State University. He was considered the most knowledgeable man nationwide in the curing, packaging, and processing of country hams. His advice and counsel has been sought by ham curers for over 30 years after his retirement and up to his death. John retired in 1980 and traveled extensively with his wife. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and gardener. John loved to cook for his family, whom he adored.

John is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Christian; daughters, Nancy Walters of Altoona, PA, Linda Thurber (David) of Raleigh, Margie Liggins of Raleigh; and son, John Allen Christian, Jr. (Mary Beth) of McLean, VA; and son-in-law, Frank Sedberry of Jamestown, NC; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Bernice Smith of Altoona, PA; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of John to the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 3231 Atlantic Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27604.

A Funeral Service will be held 11:30 a.m., Monday, October 14, 2013 at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel.

The Family will receive friends 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., prior to the service.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC. Condolences can be made at www. montlawn.com