John B. Christian

John Brownlee Christian IV, 67, of Swoope, died Sunday (June 25, 2023) from injuries he sustained in an accident while attending to the needs of his farm.

John was born August 24, 1955 in Charlottesville and was a son of the late John Brownlee Christian III and Mary Boyd (Jones) Christian. He graduated from Riverheads High School in 1973 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Virginia Tech in 1977. He was a life-long beef and poultry farmer, operating the now six-generation family farm with his brother and sons. A dedicated “grease monkey,” John also stayed busy tinkering with his farm equipment. He enjoyed attending farm auctions when he could take the time to go. John had been a member of the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, and was a member of Hebron Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kathy Sue (Wagner) Christian; three children, Jonathan Scott Christian, John Brownlee “J.B.” Christian V, and Katie Rosabelle Christian all of Swoope; a brother, Robert B. Christian and his wife Dana of Swoope; numerous cousins including Mary Dale Deacon of Spokane, Washington and Kenneth Welch and wife Janine of Anchorage, Alaska; his mother-in-law, Ida Sue Wagner of Staunton; and a brother-in-law, Wayne C. Wagner of Staunton.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Elwood Wagner.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1 in Hebron Presbyterian Church, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Henry D. Scoggins, with burial in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Barry Sensabaugh and Glenn Sensabaugh, Phillip Howell, Ben Howell, Garrett Glendye, Robbie Riley, James Mullins, Jeff Buchanan, and Shawne Simmons.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bear Funeral Home, and other times at the residence.

Memorials may be directed to the Augusta County Fair, PO Box 590, Verona, VA 24482.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.