Cecil Burns Christian

Mr. Cecil Burns “Chris” Christian, age 89, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2018 at his home in Auburndale. Mr. Christian was born September 23, 1928 in Bedford County, Virginia to John Massie and Viola Ruth (Mays) Christian, Sr. He moved to Polk County in 1952 after serving in the Air Force. In 1957, he graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy. He returned to Polk County and opened Christian Pharmacy in downtown Auburndale which he operated for 35 years. After he “retired” from his own pharmacy, he worked at the Medicine Shoppe and Auburndale Community Pharmacy. He was also a citrus grower and cattle rancher and spent many hours with the family at his beloved ranch and grove near Clermont. Mr. Christian was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Auburndale where he held numerous leadership positions including Church Council Chairman, Finance Chairman, Lay Leader, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday morning greeter. He was a past president of the Auburndale Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Polk County Pharmacy Association and on the board of First Sterling Bank. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (John, Lloyd and C Alvin) and five sisters (Jessalyn, Faye, Adeline, Eleanor and Julia). Cecil is survived by:Linda Christian, his wife of 43 years.Two sons: Cedric (Julie) of Gainesville, FL, Charles (Becky) of Jacksonville, IL, Five Daughters: Laurie Linares of Riverview, Chyrese Christian of Winter Haven, Jayna (Bernie) Hamel of Apollo Beach, Judith Riley of Auburndale, Jolisa (Brig. General Michael) Kocheski of Fort Belvoir, VA. Brother:Jerry (Mary) Christian of Goldsboro, NC, Sisters: Rosa Lee Koch of Goldsboro, NC, Phyllis Massie of Lynchburg, VA, Twelve Grandchildren: Chloe, Kaelan, Sarah, Adam, Tyler, Elena (John Paul) Manny (Michaela), Jake, Christina, Stephany, Jay and Caroline. Four Great Grandchildren: Kyler, Kasen, Kandais and Matthew. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Cecil’s name to either First United Methodist Church Youth Program, 316 Lake Ariana Blvd, Auburndale, FL 33823 or Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823. Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Friday, July 6th at the First United Methodist Church, 316 Lake Ariana Blvd, Auburndale, with visitation beginning at 10am in the church. Internment with military honors will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.