The Villager Newspaper Online Your Community News – Cleveland's Westshore
May 02, 1943 ‐ December 27, 2021
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio • Resided In: Bay Village, Ohio
George Edward Christ Jr., age 78, beloved husband of Betty (nee Clendenin) for 54 years. Dear father of Ryan Christ (Patricia), Andrew Christ (Sarah) and Ellen Knotek (Tom). Loving grandfather of Connor, Cora, Chloe, Calex, Anna, Jack, and Sam. Brother of Jean Warstler (Ed) and a dear uncle.
George graduated from Parma High School in 1961 and went on to Otterbein College, where he graduated in 1965 with a B.A. in Education. At Otterbein, George ran track and cross country, lettered multiple times, and was a team captain his senior year.
He was hired by Westlake City Schools in 1965 and was excited to start the cross-country team at Westlake High School. The following year, he met his future wife, Betty, an English teacher, who was also a new hire at Parkside Middle School. They were married a year later, beginning a 54-year journey from their home in Bay Village. In his 35 years in Westlake Schools, George was a history teacher, assistant high school principal, middle school principal, and assistant superintendent. When teaching, he enjoyed coaching track and cross country, leading the team to a conference championship.
Betty and George raised their three children in Bay, and George was an active father in Boy Scouts, rising to be the Scoutmaster of Troop 41 in 1990. He and Betty attended hundreds Bay High football games, wrestling matches, and gymnastic and track meets.
George was active in Westlake Kiwanis and was the President for two terms. After retiring from Westlake Schools, he was hired at Mohican Outdoor School, eventually becoming the Director. George enjoyed Lake Erie on his WaveRunner and taught safe boating to hundreds of teenage children over the years. In his later years, he took on many roles in Bay United Methodist Church, was a HS track and field official (and longtime Westlake Relays supporter), enjoyed his golf league, and held leadership positions in the Bay Boat Club.
Recently his favorite job was being “Pop” to his seven grandchildren. He was always ready with a corny joke or good-natured tease. He will be missed by so many.
Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 8 at Bay United Methodist Church, 29931 Lake Road, Bay Village. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westlake Kiwanis Youth Foundation, 25935 Detroit Road, Box 179, Westlake, 44145 or Bay Village Boy Scout Troop 41, c/o Bethesda on the Bay, 28607 Wolf Road, Bay Village, 44140.
