Chris John Westhof
1945-2023
Longtime Edmond resident Chris John Westhof III passed from his earthly body to the arms of Jesus April 7, 2023. He was 77 years old.
Chris epitomized the definition of a renaissance man: charismatic, expertise in many fields, from Certified Public Accounting to Church Organist to career service in the Oklahoma National Guard to his most important roles as devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Born July 9, 1945, in Holland, Michigan, as the son of a Presbyterian minister, Chris' family moved when he was an infant to Saugerties, New York. His Father's service to other congregations would move the family from New York to Whitesboro, Texas; Tulia, Texas, and then, when Chris was in middle school, to Edmond, Oklahoma. He was salutatorian of his graduating class at Edmond High school in 1963 and graduated from Central State College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon and remained active as an alumnus throughout his lifetime. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he worked as band director at Western Oaks Junior High School from 1970—1977. He returned to Central State and completed a Master's in Business Administration degree in 1980 and subsequently became a CPA, a profession he practiced until his retirement in 2019.
Music was a driver in his life, a gift he gave to others through his magnificent organ playing for Church of the Savior, 1978-1990 and First Christian Church, Edmond, from 1990-2011. He was a talented tuba player and served in Oklahoma's 145 th Army Band from 1967 – 2005. The band performances took him all over Oklahoma, much of the United States, and to a special performance in Italy for the 50 th. anniversary of D-Day. Music was a part of his soul and he felt closest to God when he was playing the organ for Church.
Chris' quick smile was usually a signal he was planning a surprise for someone, a family member, a friend, a colleague. Often these 'surprises' resulted in travel, ski trips, totally redoing the kitchen when his wife was out of town for 5 days, refurbishing Connie's 1949 Ford, arranging for five college friends to travel to Chicago for a surprise birthday party for Connie, to dinners for neighbors featuring his very, very special meat balls and spaghetti.
Wherever he and Connie traveled, whether for pleasure, an organ or band performance, or a business trip, Chris and Connie turned acquaintances into lifelong friends. Faith and family were his priorities, and he was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren; he worked hard to create memories for his children highlighted with frequent summer driving trips to his beloved home state of Michigan.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie Rae Ferneau Westhof, son Christian John Westhof IV and wife, Susan, granddaughter Annie Joe, of Denver; daughter Courtney Erin Westhof and partner Caren Koch, grandsons Ezra Reilly Koch and Spencer Aaron Westhof, of Aachen, Germany, and, sister Lynda Westhof Adcock and her children, Rachel Perrin Cerchia, her husband, Michael, and family of Colorado Springs, and Jeremy Perrin, his wife Tara, and family, of Edmond. He is also survived by many precious nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris John Westhof II and Donna Belle Sparks (adopted name; birth name Patricia Ruth DeBoer), and Chris' brother, Charles David Westhof.
Chris fought Parkinson's for 15 years but even in the final stages, his dry sense of humor brought smiles and laughter to his care givers, fellow patients, and family and friends. The family is most grateful for the love and care of the staff at Jasmine Estates.
Memorials may be made to support his love of music to "Music Endowment Fund", First Christian Church, P. O. Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083. A celebration of Chris' life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, April 14, at First Christian Church, 201 E. Second Street, Edmond, Oklahoma and will include playing recordings of Chris' organ performances.