J.B. Christian Jr.

J. B. (John Broadus) Christian Jr. was born in Fort Worth, Texas April 13, 1923 and passed away in Dallas, Texas on Holy Saturday, the Eve of Resurrection, April 7, 2012 at the age of eighty-eight. He was preceded in death by his wife of over sixty years, Betty Jo Owens Christian. He is survived by two brothers, C. W. Christian of Waco, Texas and Jimmie Sams Christian of Dallas, Texas and by nieces and nephews. J. B. graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas. He served aboard the U.S.S. Goss in the Pacific theater in World War II and was in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of the Empire of Japan. He studied music at Baylor University, served as Minister of Music and Choirmaster at several Baptist churches in Dallas and Mexia, Texas, and was organist at Calvary Baptist Church in Garland for twenty-five years. He worked also for Lamar & Smith Funeral Home for many years, providing music and other services for thousands of bereaved families. He was a talented painter, an athlete and a lover of the outdoors. J.B. was a wonderfully gifted man. He was a superior tennis player, an able writer, a man of endless curiosity about life and the world about him. Above all, he was a musician who loved the harmonies of life.

The family will receive friends from 6 – 8pm, Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home in Dallas. A Graveside service will be 11:30am, Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas 75211. All attendees are asked to line up in Lane C at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in J.B.’s name to East Lake Pet Orphanage, 10101 E. Northwest Hwy Dallas, TX 75238.