John Richard Christensen

John Richard Christensen was born in Berkeley, California to James and Virginia Christensen on June 1, 1957.   Although born with severe Cerebral Palsy, John strived all of his life to rise above his disability.  John attended Whitton School, a school for disabled children, from kindergarten to ninth grade, after which he transitioned to Skyline High School in Oakland, CA, where he thrived in electronics and computer classes. While in high school, John’s seminary class surprised him with a Christmas gift that would change his life forever: an electric wheelchair. The chair was the gift of independence.

In 1976, John was accepted to the University of California at Berkeley. He moved to the student dorms and with the help of daily attendants, lived by himself while attending college. The City of Berkeley and the University were very progressive when it came to individual rights for disabled persons, and through the Center For Independent Living, he reached a level of self-sufficiency that he had dreamed of attaining.  Through this experience, he became a strong advocate for individual rights for the disabled. In 1982, John graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications. 

After graduation, John was hired by World Savings Bank in Oakland, where he worked for several years. He then transitioned to a job with the United Way in San Francisco where he was able to use his CAD (computer-aided design) skills.  These were some of John’s favorite years. He worked in the City everyday. On Fridays, he would come home after the workday, have dinner, change his clothes and then return to San Francisco to enjoy the nightlife.  He developed friendships with bouncers and other security personnel at some of the more popular night spots in San Francisco.  Through these relationships, he was given privileged and cover-free admittance!  John became a familiar sight on the streets of Berkeley traveling in his electric wheelchair.

In 2007, and after the death of his beloved mother, John moved to Walnut Creek to be closer to his two brothers in Moraga and Danville. The move was short-lived. During his time in Walnut Creek , it became more and more difficult for him to live as independently as he was living in Berkeley and he gave up work. He relied more on neighbors, friends and family along with attendant care 12 hours a day.  After a year in Walnut Creek, John moved to Salt Lake City with his sister Carrie, his brother-in-law Steve Wixom, and their three children.  

John lived in Millcreek with Steve and Carrie’s family for 14 years, where he was lovingly cared for by them.  He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He attended the Canyon Rim 4th Ward where he developed many strong and lasting friendships. 

For the past year and a half, as John’s physical needs increased, he resided in Skilled Nursing Facilities in Millcreek and Taylorsville.  He passed away peacefully in Taylorsville on September 13th at the age of 67.  The Christensen and Wixom families express gratitude for the care provided by Canyon Home Care and Hospice and to all those who loved and sacrificed for John over his life. 

We joyfully contemplate John’s reunion with loved ones in Heaven with a whole and renewed body.

To stream services please visit https://zoom.us/j/99327405504