Christopher James Garland I, 53, of Russell, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, March 03, 2024, at his home in Russell.
Chris was born on July 22, 1970, in Miami, Florida to Candace Rollins. His mother married Philip Wilsher when he was a small child. The military family, which included five sisters, settled in Atlantic Beach, FL. Chris graduated from Jones College in Jacksonville, FL with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management and an associate’s degree in Broadcasting. He began his professional career at WBYB 100.7 FM, a Christian radio station servicing Jacksonville, FL. He went on to have a career in business with First Union National Bank in Charlotte, NC where he played an integral part in the creation of online banking; Genesys working in Professional Services worldwide with a focus in Asia-Pacific; and Schroders as Senior Vice President-Head of Marketing Communications and Operations Americas.
He met his future wife, Andrea (Augustine) Garland, in Mrs. Wheeler’s 5th grade class where they were assigned to collaborate together on science projects and a solar system bulletin board. They went on to attend different middle and high schools but reconnected when Chris pulled up to the drive-thru window at a local Chinese restaurant. By fate or chance, their teacher had taken a picture of her two students and their solar system bulletin board. He immediately recognized Andrea as the girl in the Polaroid picture that he kept as a memento the previous nine years. Chris took a leap of faith and asked her out on a date.
Chris and Andrea were united in marriage on April 10, 1993, in Atlantic Beach, FL. This union was blessed with six children, Matthew, Tyler, Lauren, Christian II, Lily, and Avalon. He was a member of Celebration Community Church in Hays, KS, The Gideons International, and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed target shooting, science fiction, computers, and technology. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and especially playing with his ten grandchildren.
Surviving family includes his wife Andrea of the home; son Matthew Rollins (Jessica) of Dunnellon, Florida, son Tyler Garland (Talia) of Raytown, Missouri, daughter Lauren Kasselman of Russell, Kansas, son Christian Garland II (Emma) of Lucas, Kansas, daughter Lily Garland of Russell, Kansas, and daughter Avalon Garland of Russell, Kansas; sisters Mary Gordon of Axtell, Nebraska, Patricia Bunting (Sean) of Jacksonville, Florida, Melissa Meredith of Belgrade, Montana, Elizabeth Nehemias (Gabriel) of Jacksonville, Florida and Sarah Paxson (John) of Spring Hill, Tennessee; best friend James Augustine; ten grandchildren Aiden, Isabel and Emmett Rollins, Titan and Ronin Garland, Calvary, Victory and Trinity Kasselman and Andrew and Christopher III Garland; father Philip Wilsher (Morgan); aunts Jacquelyn Dyson (John), Patricia Rollins, and Joanne Kalver (Joel); nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents Willis and Dawn Rollins; uncle Willis Rollins, Jr.; second cousin Tessa Wiseman; and nephew Bryce Paxson. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be given to Russell Development, Inc. for the Russell Play Park.
Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, who is in charge of these arrangements.