Howard "Pawpaw" Christopher

Funeral services for Howard Christopher “PawPaw”, 91, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Shane Scroggins officiating. Interment will follow in the Gilbert Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Christopher was born October 28, 1924 in Nacogdoches County, Texas to the late Julian and Dovie (Mitchell) Christopher and died Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at his residence in Lufkin. Mr. Christopher was a member of the Allentown Congregational Methodist Church. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the 75th Infantry Division from 1944 to 1946. He served in the European Theatre as a Medic and was very proud to have served his country. He related many stories of his time spent in Germany during the war. On February 1, 1946, Howard married his sweetheart, Maudell Harrell. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this year. He was a carpenter and a self-employed building contractor who loved his trade. He was known for inventing gadgets, building birdhouses, windmills and toys for his grandchildren. Howard loved fishing, deer hunting, gardening and traveling. He traveled to Alaska four times and had many hours of fun catching salmon. Most of all, he loved his family. He devoted his life to providing for them. Howard was very proud of his daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. He would always have family bbq’s and loved to see his family having fun. He always told his children and grandchildren to, “never give up”, that he loved them, and “that if I could crawl on my stomach in the trenches of Germany, you can do anything you want in life”. Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Maudell Christopher; daughters, Linda Horton and husband, Billy, Carol Carnley and husband, Butch, and Tammy Joseph all of Lufkin; grandchildren, Trey Burton and wife Ruby of Austin, Stephanie York and husband Scott of Lufkin, Kristen Wright and husband Todd of Tyler, Justin Carnley and wife Kacie of Lufkin, Nick Horton and wife Starla of Forrest, Scott Burton of Dallas, Sarah Garrad of Dallas, Josh Joseph of Dallas, and Zachary Christopher Joseph of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Ashton, Tyler, Jonah, Finley, Hunter, Hudson, Sidney, Lachlan, Paisley, Gavin, Sadie, Cohen, Beckham, Julia, Gunner and Katelyn; great-great-grandchild, Kylie; son-in-law, Curtis Burton; brother Billy Joe Christopher; sister Ruby Brier; numerous nieces, nephews and other family; special friends, Charlie Walker and Langston Martines. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Margie Burton; parents; brothers, Mitchell, Buford and Ralph; sister, Sybil. Pallbearers will be Trey Burton, Nick Horton, Justin Carnley, Josh Joseph, Zachary Christopher Joseph and Tyler York. Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Carnley, Billy Horton, Scott York, Todd Wright, Patrick Stokes and the men of Allentown Congregational Methodist Church. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Allentown Congregational Methodist Youth Group, 1995 Allentown Loop, Lufkin, Tx 75904. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.