Raymond Walter Christian

RAYMOND CHRISTIAN, 86, passed away November 15, 2025, in Escalante, Utah, after a noble fight of eight years against prostate cancer. He beat the odds given of five years and lived out his days to the fullest.

Raymond was born April 18, 1939, to Walter Lester and Lois Hafen Christian in St. George, Utah. He is the eldest of four children, two sisters and one brother.

Raymond graduated from Dixie High School in 1957, then attended the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, majoring in geography. During his summers off, he returned home and worked at the Nevada Test Site. As a sophomore at the University of Utah, Ray was one of five St. George students on the honor roll. This list included students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, making it quite an accomplishment.

It wasn’t long before he met his sweetheart, Lana Willson, in a university square-dancing class. After taking the class more times than he could get credit for, he’d found the love of his life and never let her go. Raymond received his bachelor's degree in geography with high honors from the University of Utah in August 1960. Then, married Lana on February 18, 1961, in Castle Dale, Utah, followed by a reception and dance at the ward recreation hall with friends and family in her hometown of Elmo.

After graduation, Raymond began teaching university courses. He taught at the University of Arizona, then accepted a position at Eastern Washington University, where he and Lana made their home in Pine City, Washington. During those years, they were blessed with the births of their two sons, Forrest in 1972, and Spencer in 1976.

Ray and Lana later discovered their hearts were still in Utah, and that’s where they wanted to raise their family. So, in 1981, they moved and found their forever home in Escalante, enticed by the calm atmosphere, proximity to family, colorful landscape, hiking, and adventures that lay ahead!

Raymond taught Spanish and Science at the local high school, worked as the town librarian, and even drove the school bus on occasion! He loved gardening, hunting, and served on the Search and Rescue team for Garfield County. Ray had a talent for topographical maps and grew the BEST watermelon! People who knew Ray would say he was friendly, intelligent, and witty. He had a happy demeanor and loved to bring joy to life. This trait became an asset to him and Lana when they cared for Lana’s elderly mother, Ada, in their Escalante home until her death in 2011. Ada was extremely fond of her son-in-law.

Raymond also loved time with his sons and grandchildren. Traditional visits from them in Spring included coloring and rolling Easter eggs, then in Summer for root beer floats and Escalante’s Pioneer Day Celebrations. It was always a treat to have the “family campground” expanding in the yard as the years went on.

Raymond will be well remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Raymond is survived by his beloved wife, Lana, his two sons, Forrest (Deb) Christian (Helena, MT), Spencer (Krista) Christian (American Fork, UT), grandchildren, Robert Jace (Emily) Christian, Thomas (Emma) Christian, Zackry, Ethan, Mason, Abigail, Brooklyn; siblings, Eileen Prisbrey, Constance (Douglas) Limb, and Daniel (Jetta) Christian. Raymond is preceded in death by his father, Walter Lester Christian, and mother, Lois Hafen Christian.

Viewing will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elmo, UT (170 E Main St, Elmo, UT 84521), with funeral services to follow at 1:00 pm —interment in the Elmo Cemetery.

A memorial will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (80 S Center St., Escalante, UT 84726).

 FUNERAL DIRECTORS: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti