Obituary of Laurence M Christman

Lieutenant Colonel Laurence M. Christman, US Army, Retired

Laurence M. Christman, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, Retired. Known as Larry to his friends and family, Larry was born in Tampa, FL in 1941. Larry passed away peacefully on March 19, 2023, in his home in South Pasadena, FL with his beloved wife Pokhui at his side. He was 81 years old at his passing. Larry graduated from the University of South Florida in 1965 and went on to receive his M.B.A. degree from the University of Florida. He served as an army Officer from 1965 until 1988, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Throughout his distinguished career of more than 22 years of military service, Larry served the people of the United States, and lived the Army Values, placing mission first, never accepting defeat and never quitting. He served in numerous positions and locations around the world. Larry served two tours in the Vietnam War, his first tour with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, in Tay Nihn Province, 1966-1967, and his second tour with the US Army Medical Command, Long Binh Province, 1971-1972.

Among his many military decorations Larry received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. Of his many military decorations Larry was most proud of the Army Combat Medal Badge he was awarded in Vietnam.

From 1977-1981, Larry served in the Pentagon as spokesperson and speech writer for the Honorable Charles Pixley, Surgeon General of the Army. Larry retired from his last post at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1988. Following his Army retirement, Larry worked on the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Veterans Affairs Committee and for the Veterans Affairs Central Office in Washington, D.C. He served as Director of Public Affairs and spokesperson for Bay Pines VA Medical Center from 1993 until retiring from civil service in April 2004.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Pokhui Wildrick who resides in South Pasadena, FL; his daughter, Nicole Christman; his grandson, Jacob Frigra; his sister, Candace Clark; his brother-in-law, Michael Clark; and his brother James Christman