Christopher “Chris” Thomas Massey departed this life and joined his Savior in heaven on Saturday, March 9, 2024, as a result of a massive heart attack.
He is survived by his parents, Thomas “Tom” Massey and Janice “Jan” Massey; brother, David and sister-in-law, Greer Massey and their children, Maribel and Henry Massey; sister, Kayla Noel and brother-in-law, Jake Noel.
Chris was born at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas on August 7, 1974, while Tom was a Lieutenant stationed at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The family moved to Huntsville in November of 1976 following a year and a half in New Boston, Texas. He attended Mountain Gap Elementary and Middle Schools, and Grissom High School – class of 1992. Following high school Chris lived and worked about two years in Houston, Texas and then moved to the Aurora and then Breighton, Colorado for the next two decades. He returned to Huntsville in September of 2019.
In many ways Chris was a renaissance man, having wide interests and an uncanny ability to retain and recall a vast array of information from diverse domains. This began when he read and memorized large portions of the family’s World Book Encyclopedias as a child. He remained an avid reader throughout his life. Chris loved history, political science, sports, and wrestling with deep philosophical questions. He cared deeply for our nation.
Chris loved sports, having played soccer, football and basketball growing up. He delighted in following the Denver Nuggets while in Colorado, attending numerous home games. And he was a lifelong Alabama football fan. In recent years he would watch the Crimson Tide with Jan, explaining the plays and the nuances of the game – much to Mom’s delight. He loved to fish from boyhood, especially when he and David spent time with grandparents at Lake Lanier, Georgia. He took up skiing and did outdoor camping in Colorado. Chris loved mechanical wristwatches and knives, collecting several of each. He admired craftsmanship and was fascinated with metallurgy.
Chris was tender-hearted and caring as he interacted with people. He spontaneously helped many with whom he came into contact throughout his life. On several occasions recently, he shared how he had helped neighbors and fellow students at Calhoun Community College where he was now enrolled, studying to be a machinist.
Although he made a profession of faith and was baptized at the age of six and attended Whitesburg Baptist Church through his teens, he drifted spiritually for many years. In October of 2022, he unconditionally professed and affirmed his faith in Jesus. He has now entered eternal rest, having responded to our Lord’s call:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to either Whitesburg Baptist Church, 6806 Whitesburg Drive,
Huntsville, AL 35802, or “Ignite Master Campus Plan” Gideons International – Huntsville East Camp 409 Regent Drive, SW Huntsville, AL 35802.
