Christopher will be remembered by his friends and neighbors for his mischievous spirit, his love of conversation, his interest in politics, and his deep and lasting concern for his native Knott County.

He had been missed locally for the past few months, as he lived in Tennessee to be near his daughters while recovering from a fall. He kept in contact with people back home, and seemed particularly happy when he was able to visit.

Slone was a man not only of words, but of action. Last year, he donated the hand-cut stone from his parents' home to be used for the city hall Welcome center in Hindman.

He told the Times, "I looked at the house - it had been vacant for 30 years, and it was too costly to renovate, so I thought, why not help with something that the people in Knott County could enjoy?"

Slone said he hoped his gift would be a monument to his parents, Marion and Sarah Triplett Slone, and when someone suggested putting his picture in the structure, he asked that a photograph of his parents be used instead. (Christopher's photo is now displayed along with theirs).

At the time of the new city hall's dedication last spring, Slone talked about his life.

Christopher's father was a teacher in Knott County for 50 years, "so I went to school early," he said. "The school was only 200 yards from home. 1 started before age six, and went through the grades pretty fast." While he didn't go on immediately to stay in Hindman for a high school education, he returned to school later in Berea.

Slone said he left home as a young man to find work, going to Indiana, Colorado, and finally ending up in the logging business in Oregon.

When World War II  began, Slone first began training in artillery in Fort Sill, Oklahoma - but what he really wanted was to fly. He said he was pleasantly surprised to pass the exam. He went to gunner's school and earned his wings in 1944.

Anyone who knew Christopher had heard at least a little about his experiences in the Air Corps during World War II. The people and events of the war remained most important to him throughout Ws-lifeTariaTn his later years, it was difficult for him to hold back tears when he spoke of friends he lost.

After the war, Slone worked briefly in logging again, then attended agriculture college in Ohio. For a time he worked for Chrysler, then owned and operated a tractor-trailer.

Slone and his wife, Ruth, married in 1950. They moved to Huntington, where Christopher was a salesman.

He returned to Knott County in 1967 to care for his ailing parents. He also became interested in local politics in the 60's. "I saw there were almost no Republicans here, and I thought it was time Knott County had a two-party system," Slone explained. "1 knew I couldn't win, but I ran for judge on the Republican ticket. Anyway, I got twice as many votes as any other Republican!  My intention was good - I wanted to help people."

Through the years, Slone again ran unsuccessfully for judge, and also for state representative. He was elected magistrate in District 3 in 1978, running on the independent ticket. While in office, he donated a great deal of his own time and work with his D4 dozer.

Funeral services for Christopher S lone were held in Hindman on Tuesday, Dec. 3. A full obituary appears on page 13.