James F. Christenson

JAMES F. CHRISTENSON

Cedar Rapids

James F. Christenson, 93, died on March 29, 2022. James was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 15, 1928, to Arvid and Lillian Christenson. Due to his ability in math, he attended and graduated from Stuyvesant High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended the New York Maritime Academy graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. James served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and was a lieutenant on various ships.

While in the Navy, he met and married Dorothy (Dottie) Grounds, while she served in the Waves.

James and Dottie lived in New York City; West Covina, Calif.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Red Lion, Penn.; and Fremont, Ohio, before settling in Cedar Rapids. Jim worked as an aerospace engineer, a construction engineer, and a mechanical engineer. In 1976 he quit his job as a construction engineer and spent the next two years building his home with his two sons. Jim returned to work for Iowa Power. After his retirement from Iowa Power, Jim was active in the Cedar Rapids Fly Ball club. Jim deeply loved his cats and his two border collies, Ike and Sunny. Jim was blessed to have friends John Homrighausen and Mike Colby watch out for him and his dog.

Jim is survived by his sons, Jim (Dory Briles) Des Moines, Iowa, and Craig (Judy) Benton City, Wash.; and his four grandchildren, Ashley, Nicole, Briles and Lily.

He was predeceased by his wife and his two sisters, Dorothy and Elinor.

Services are private. Burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Cedar Valley Humane Society in memory of James.