BRIAN, CHRISTOPHER J. - Age 27, of Horton, MI, passed away suddenly on September 1, 2010 as result of a vehicle crash. He was born on March 29, 1983 in Jackson, MI, one of the last babies born at the old Foote Hospital. He was the beloved son of his parents, Linda and Jim Brian and treasured brother of Lauren (Brian) Kyser of Horton and lifelong friend of her husband, Eric Kyser. Chris is deeply mourned by many family and friends, including grandparents Reynold and Carolyn Garrison of Valrico, FL and John and Betty (Bonney) Brian of Burlington, NC; uncles, Reynold and Robert Garrison and Jeffrey and John Brian III; aunts, Victoria (Garrison) Ginty and Jennifer (Garrison) Hawkes; and numerous cousins and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jeanne (Edwards) Brian of Columbus, OH. Chris was a graduate of Hanover Horton High School where he played several sports, achieving varsity letters in golf (three years) and baseball (two years) and silver cords for academic achievement. He was employed by Country Club Turf in Jackson, MI, managing their lawn care and fertilization programs. Chris was enrolled in Michigan State University's highly regarded Turf Grass Management Program and had just started fall classes. Chris had a great smile that would light up a room and shared his love for golf, sports, music, and the outdoors with many lifelong friends. He had fallen deeply in love with Ashley Clark of Concord and the two had built a very loving and caring relationship. They were both pursuing careers at MSU; Chris as a golf course superintendent and Ashley, in graduate school, as a registered nurse. The family invites you to visit them and share your remembrances of Chris. They will be available at Wetherby Funeral Home, 402 Wildwood Ave. in Jackson, on Sunday, September 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service and celebration of Chris's life will take place on Monday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m. just south of the Hanover Horton High School, 10000 Moscow Road, Horton, in the athletic complex on the baseball field. Friends and family are invited to share their favorite memories of Chris. A luncheon reception will be held at Yukon Jack's Restaurant, 3611 Hanover Road, Horton following the service. A memorial scholarship fund has been established in Chris' memory. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, people make contributions to the fund at any County National Bank branch or send them by mail to the Chris Brian Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 337, Hanover, MI 49241. Proceeds will help make it possible for future Hanover Horton students to achieve their dreams of a college education. Friends may send condolences or share a memory with the family at wetherbyfuneralhome.com www.Mlive.com/obits Wetherby Funeral Home Wetherbyfuneralhome.com 517-787-7511
Published in Jackson Citizen Patriot on September 4, 2010