Dr. Reginald Claudius Christopher Obituary (1938 - 2023)

Dr. Reginald Claudius Christopher was born on August 20, 1938 to Roscoe Christopher and Emily Copeland Christopher in Reklaw, Texas. R.C. went to Carver High School in Pecos, Texas until the end of his junior year. Two major things happened in his life at this point, he was among the first black students to integrate and graduate from the all-white Pecos High School, and because the school would not allow him to be enrolled using initials for his name, he selected Reginald Claudius to replace "R.C." Had he been allowed to graduate from Carver, he would have been the valedictorian. Reginald professed a belief in Christ at an early age and joined Wesley United Methodist Church in 1956 upon arriving in Austin, Texas to attend Huston-Tillotson College (HT), now University. A long time and faithful member, he was actively involved with the Men's Ministry, Old-Fashioned Sunday School, and the Intergenerational Choir until his health started to decline. While attending HT, Reginald was actively engaged and participated in the Science Club, P.E.M Club, Pan-Hellenic Council, he sang in the choir all 4 years, was a dancer with The Dazians, an editor on the yearbook staff and was on the varsity track, baseball, and basketball teams. During his senior year, he was president of the Student Council. Reginald was initiated into the Theta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in 1959. He graduated from HT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1960. After graduating from HT, Reginald joined the U.S. Army as an enlisted soldier and served until 1963 as a Nuclear Weapons Missile Technician; he had one of the highest security clearances at the time. He then went to Odessa, Texas where he was a math teacher and basketball coach. Reginald met and married the love of his life, Peggy Joyce Harvey, on December 25, 1965. To this union two children were born, Tisha LaTease and John Reginald. In the early 1970's, Reginald started his journey into Prince Hall Masonry and eventually was elevated to the 33rd degree, which is the highest level that can be obtained. While in Germany, Reginald became a loyal and respected member of Aswan #115 Shriners. Reginald moved to Nashville, TN where he attended Meharry Medical College in the School of Dentistry, graduating in 1972 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After graduation, he was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a Captain and promoted to the rank of Major. Reginald practiced as a military dentist in Austin, TX at Bergstrom A.F.B, Madrid, Spain at Torrejon A.F.B, Germany, Thailand, and Abilene, TX at Dyess A.F.B. After he was honorably discharged from military service, Reginald moved his family back to Austin, TX and began teaching Biology while serving as the Director of Alumni Affairs at his alma mater under his mentor and president, Dr. John Q.T. King, Sr. Throughout the years, he was an active and devoted member of the Huston-Tillotson International Alumni Association and served in many roles in the local Austin chapter as an officer and a committee chairman. Reginald started his private practice in an office on 12th Street. Then, he went into practice with his brother, Dr. Charles A. Christopher, opening a minor emergency and dental clinic in Springdale Shopping Center. He also practiced in the dental office of White, Mason, and McElveen on MLK Blvd. Reginald continued to practice dentistry in Austin and Dallas, TX until he retired in 1996 to become a full-time grandpa. Reginald was a lifetime member of the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association (PVILCA) and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2010. As an educator and lifelong learner, Reginald completed a master's degree in Gerontology from Texas Tech University at the age of 70 years old. Reginald's hobbies included fishing and golf. He was a long-time member of the Capital City Golf Association. Reginald was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Emily Christopher, brother Leroy Christopher and sister-in-love, Marjon King Christopher. Left to cherish his memory are Peggy Harvey Christopher, Children: Tisha L. Christopher, Rev. John R. Christopher, and Darrell Nichols; Siblings: Darnetha C. Wilson, Dorothy L. Foster, Dr. Charles A. Christopher, Sr.; Grandchildren: Imani D. Christopher and Anthony Nichols; Brothers-in-love: Rev. Carl E. Harvey, Sr. (Linda) and John W. Harvey, Sr. (Barbara); Nieces: Melissa Thomas (Seward), Caryn A. Christopher, Kristin E. Foster, Kari M. Foster, Tiffany C. Foster, LaChanda J. Thompson (Sheldon), Denise Arrington, Tabitha E. Guyton, and Bridgette Guyton; Nephews: Rev. Alton J. Christopher (Kaye), Rodney J. Christopher (Annette), Derald L. Christopher (Sakura), Gerald L. Christopher, Charles A. Christopher, II (Jessica), Rev, Carl E. Harvey, Jr. (Tenea), Dr. Christopher J. Harvey (Shaneen), John W. Harvey, Jr., and Kevin Guyton; Friends: Tommy H. Barber, Herman Salley, James Polk (Jeanie), and Julius Gordon (Shirley); Special friend: Barbara Spence and a host of family and friends.