Ladd Eric Christensen

Ladd Eric Christensen died suddenly from a heart attack on Monday, August 27, 2012 while hunting with his son in the Arizona high desert near Ash Fork, Yavapai County, Arizona. He was 57 years old. Ladd was born on April 14, 1955 in Culver City, Los Angeles County, California. As a young boy, Ladd moved, with his family, to Phoenix, Arizona and attended Madison School in the Phoenix Unified School District. He was a hard worker throughout his life and taught his children the value of doing an honest day's work for and honest day's pay. He taught them by example and by the sweat of his brow, he was an excellent provider for his family. Ladd was a dedicated plumber for many years and was a member of the Plumber's/Pipefitters Union #469. At the age of 20, Ladd married the love of his life, the former Elaine Farley, on November 22, 1975. In just 3 months they would have celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary together. His love for Elaine was something to envy, they were delightfully inseparable. When his daughter started having children of her own, his joy was expanded 10-fold! He loved being "Papa" to those special treasures and as a true grandfather, reserved the right to spoil them any way he wanted. To his daughter and "Daddy's Little Girl" Amy, he was a lifelong guardian, confidant and standard by which all other men were measured. To his beloved son Heath he was a perpetual mentor and idol. He was the Christensen family's pillar of strength-their rock their cornerstone. Ladd was a passionate Arizona outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish with "his boys". He spent his spare time in pursuit of the spiritual and physical bounty of the Arizona outdoors. Ladd was valedictorian of the school of hard knocks, a self-made man with countless talents, a self-taught master craftsman, mechanic and engineer. He was a "Jack of All Trades" and master of all, there was no task Ladd could not conquer. Ladd was a one of a kind individual with an indescribable character, commanding presence and spontaneous sense of humor that was second to none. He was a dependable, responsible and lovable man to be around and will be greatly missed. Words simply cannot describe the emptiness and sorrow felt by his family and large circle of wonderful friends. Ladd is survived by: his wife, Elaine Christensen of Lakeside, Arizona; his son, Heath (Summer) Christensen of Mesa, Arizona; his daughter, Amy (Brandon) Beckman of Reno, Nevada; 3 grandchildren: Grace Beckman and Grant Beckman, both of Reno, Nevada, Taylor Bradley of Mesa, Arizona; his sister, Luann Langdon of Lakeside, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Joanne (Jersild) Christensen; brother and best friend Lance Christensen. A special memorial for Ladd will begin 2:30 P.M., Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. His family is thankful for the many acts of kindness they have received during this difficult time and are grateful for all of the positive thoughts that have been sent their way. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Ladd's "other daughter" Darbi for her selfless caring and support. Memorial Contributions to his family C/O: Elaine Christensen, 2636 Summer Drive, Lakeside, Arizona 85929 have been suggested by his family to help them through this difficult time. Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel of Show Low cared for the arrangements.