Harold Victor "Doc" Christensen

Harold Victor “Doc” Christensen passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and daughter and

the loving staff assisting him at his home at Heartis Mid Cities on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Doc will

be remembered as a man of faith and loving son, brother, friend, husband, Papa Doc, and a World War II veteran.  He taught me

generosity, honesty and compassion. In these last years, he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his

family. As his daughter, it was my honor and privilege to care for him these past 3 years and I will

continue to care for my precious mom in his absence.

Doc was born to Danish immigrants Niels and Martha Christensen September 19, 1926 in Geddes, South

Dakota. He grew up on the family farm surviving the historical Dust Bowl and Great Depression years of

the 1930s. He earned the nickname “Doc” because he liked to catch small farm animals and dissect

them. Everyone thought he would be a doctor. He graduated from Lake Andes High School in 1944.

At the age of 17, he asked his father to sign for him to join the US Navy during WWII. His dad could not

agree to the early entry because he needed Doc (his middle son) to help him with the harvest. Doc

credited that the delay in entry by his dad might have saved his life, as he finished training just before

Victory in Japan Day. He entered the Pacific theatre as a Fireman 1 st Class. He and his unit were

deployed to Okinawa, Japan during winding down of the war.

After an Honorable discharge, Doc attended and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from South

Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota. He actually returned to his one

room school house to wire it with electricity. During this time, he met his wife Barbara and they were

married June 10, 1952 (married 73 years now). They honeymooned in Kansas City on their way to his

new job at Phillips Petroleum Company (now Conoco Phillips) in Bartlesville, OK.

Over his career, he served on the Boards of Directors of Explorer Pipeline, Dixie Pipeline, Kaw Pipeline

and Seaway Pipeline with his ultimate achievement as Project Manager and Vice President of Seaway

Pipeline, a 500-mile pipeline which runs from Cushing, Oklahoma to Freeport, Texas. Also, during this

time he was active with the Pipeliner’s Club of Tulsa, serving one term as President. He retired from the

company in November,1985 after 33 years of service and many awards.

During those years in Bartlesville, his daughter Debra and son Rodney were born. He raised his family at

Redeemer Lutheran Church and served in various volunteer capacities including Treasurer. He

volunteered in the community through the Oak Park Lions Club, serving as Vice President. Also, he and

Barbara were avid golfers and members of Sunset and Hillcrest Country Clubs.

Over the years Doc and Barbara made many close friends, with whom they lived life together to the

fullest. They have outlived most of them, but the memories were precious. One of their favorite annual

traditions was “wintering” in San Antonio at Traveler’s World RV Park. Spending over 30 winters there,

they enjoyed golfing, the San Antonio Spurs, and friendships from all over the US and Canada.

In retirement, they moved to April Sound, Texas where they made good friends and played a lot of golf.

The last years have been spent in a retirement facility in Bedford, TX near their daughter.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years,

Barbara, his daughter Debra McDaniels (son-in-law Rusty), his son Rodney Christensen (daughter-in-law

Kaye), grandchildren, Melissa Cheatham (Matt), Christy Horne (Kyle), Kevin Christensen (Lori), 10 great

grandchildren, (Campbell, Cooper, Conley, Maddie, Hudson, Austin, Christen, Miranda, Grayson, Alyson)

and 5 great-great granddaughters (Cambree, Codee, Chloe, Josie, Emersyn)

As a veteran of WWII, he will be honored by close friends and family at a graveside service, at the Dallas Fort Worth

National Cemetery, Dallas, TX. with military honors. at a date to be determined soon.

In lieu of flowers, gifts, or food, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Honor Flight DFW.  Please go to www.honorflightdfw.org

Doc, accompanied by his daughter Debra, had the special opportunity to travel to Washington DC with

this group to see the monuments. It was a wonderful experience making wonderful memories.

The family would like to thank Heartis Mid Cities Parcside Memory Care and Compassus Hospice staff for the loving care you provided.  You will never be forgotten.