BBATTLE GROUND — A representative from the International Carpenters Union flew in from Fairbanks, Alaska to present a pin to Lawrence Christie on his 103rd birthday Jan. 23. Christie has been a member of the union for 75 consecutive years, the longest on record.
Christie was born Jan. 23, 1907 in Keithburg, Okla. He moved to California in the late 1920s and worked as an apprentice carpenter and later as a journeyman. He helped build many buildings in Pasadena, Calif. After a time in Sprague, southwest of Spokane, he moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, and continued in the carpentry trade.
Christie retired in 1976 while living in California and moved to Vancouver in 1988. His wife of 69 years, Bessie, died in 1998. Christie moved to Battle Ground with his daughter Belva Spencer in 2003.
Christie also has another daughter, Oneta Josenhans of California, a niece, Carol Vis of Battle Ground, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
