Frederick William Christ

Frederick William Christ died peacefully on June 4, 2026, in his home after a short illness. He was born August 17, 1926, in Minot, North Dakota, the seventh of eleven children. His father, grandfather, great‑grandfather, and three brothers were ministers. After his father died, his mother packed ten children into their sedan and drove across the country to Santa Ana, California, to be near Fred’s Aunt Alma. One of the first things they did was register at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana — the church that would become Fred’s spiritual home for the rest of his life. He attended Santa Ana High School and graduated in 1944. Fred was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1944, but he chose instead to enlist in the Navy, where he served until the end of World War II. Although he never saw combat, he was a proud veteran. In 1951, he married his high‑school sweetheart, Lucy Lenore Harding, and they were married for 61 years. That same year, he graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a drafting degree and began teaching woodshop at Lathrop and later at Santa Ana High School. For 35 years, he worked side by side with the machine‑shop teacher who became his closest friend, Lloyd Sallot. He even built the family home himself. Through it all, he was a steady force — steadfast, resolute, loyal, faith‑filled, and patriotic. Fred’s family is large and deeply connected. He and Lenore raised three children — John, Jane, and Margie. John and his wife Louise have three children: Kevin; Karen and her partner Joe; and Danny. Jane and her husband Terry have four children: Colleen and her husband Mike and their son TJ; Tom and his wife Ashley and their children AJ, Emma, and Cal; Mike and his wife Alex; and John and his wife Mary. Fred is also survived by his younger sister, Grace, and his sister‑in‑law, Ruthanne, along with countless nieces and nephews. And beyond family, there were many, many friends who meant the world to him. He remained vibrant and active throughout his long life — building, gardening, golfing, fishing, walking. He was retired longer than he worked, and he made the most of every year. Many places were meaningful to him, but none more than the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana. Not Santa Ana High School, where he met his wife and taught beside his best friend for 35 years; not the house he built and lived in for more than 70 years; not his golf courses, fishing spots, or favorite campsites. Nothing compared to what his church meant to him. It was his foundation in every sense, and a piece of his heart will remain there always. Services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Family requests in lieu of flowers make donation to the church, 600 North Main Street, Santa Ana, Ca 92701.

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