FormerCity Councilman Randy Christian is being remembered for his healthcare advocacy and passion for promoting Lubbock after he died late Sunday following a lengthy battle with cancer.
He was 74.
Christian, a Lubbock businessman and marketing specialist, served as the District 5 city council member from 2018 to 2022, advocating for such causes as public health, downtown revitalization and investment in city parks.
Christian's family shared a statement on Facebook Monday confirming his passing and thanking his friends and the community for their support.
"The outpouring of love and support he received when giving life updates was very comforting," reads a portion of family's statement. "...We find peace in knowing my father is no longer suffering,
but are struggling with our last goodbye. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers."
Mayor Mark McBrayer shared a statement praising Christian and confirming the city council will recognize him with a moment of silence at its meeting Tuesday.
"Randy served the City of Lubbock well in many different ways, not just as a member of the City Council," McBrayer wrote. "Our hearts go out to his family as we all share in the grief for their loss which is ours as well."
City of Lubbock remembers Randy Christian
The city of Lubbock released a statement reflecting on Christian's impact as a city leader, which was inspired in part by his nearly lifelong battle with cancer which he often shared publicly as an advocate for healthcare policy.
"Driven by deeply personal experiences, he pushed for the creation of Source to Solution: A Regional Addiction and Recovery Symposium in 2019," the statement reads.
The symposium has since become an annual event hosted by Lubbock Public Health District that offers resources, fellowship, and knowledge for those who are impacted by addiction, according to the city statement. This year will mark the seventh Source to Solution event and will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
"His adopted motto was 'Lucky Me, I Live in Lubbock', and he genuinely believed this," reads the city statement. "His civic and personal efforts were rooted in this belief, and citizens feeling the same community pride is what drove him.
"Mr. Christian was a kind, engaging, and loving man, who has left many at the City of Lubbock mourning his loss today. The City extends its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of former Councilman Christian during this time."
Adam D. Young is the Editor of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and Amarillo Globe-News in Texas. Have a news tip for him? Email him at ayoung@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former councilman Christian remembered for healthcare, Lubbock advocacy
