In Loving Memory - Roy Eugene “Gene” Christenson
- Kimberly Crites
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
September 11, 1938 - January 18, 2026
Obituary |
Roy Eugene “Gene” Christenson, age 87, passed away peacefully on January 18 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
Gene was born on September 11, 1938, and was preceded in death by his parents, William and Fern Christenson, lovingly known as Mimi and Poppy; his sister, Billie Coffelt; his brother, Robert “Bob” Christenson; and his second wife, Peggie Smith.
He is survived by his youngest sister, Karen Graham; a niece he considered a daughter, Carrie Patterson; and his former wife and the mother of his three children, LaDonna Welsh. He is also survived by his children and grandchildren: Don and Cheryl Christenson (Randi and Eric Lackscheide; RayVaun and Kate Christenson), Gaye and Richard Banks (Justin Banks; Tara and Kevin Phillips; Brandy and David Carsten; Chad Banks and Jessica Barnette), and Pam Penn (Kaye Penn; Roy and Michelle Penn). Gene was a proud grandfather to many grandchildren, as well as 10 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Gene deeply loved his family and enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, and motor coaching throughout the United States and Canada during retirement. An early passion for scuba diving led to a defining experience in 1988 when a hurricane stranded him in Belize during a trip to Honduras. That unexpected turn resulted in his second business venture—a furniture company producing resort furniture from mahogany and other hardwoods native to Belize.
Gene devoted his life to the transportation industry. He began working at age 14, driving for his father, hauling feed for the family farm and local farmers. Over the years, he hauled agricultural products, tanker fuel, and flatbed freight for various trucking companies. In 1961, he joined Tom Inman Trucking in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hauling protein—primarily chicken—to the West Coast and returning with produce.
In 1965, Gene transitioned into the office as a log clerk, later advancing into dispatch and customer service, overseeing produce shipments from the West Coast to Tulsa, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. During his time there, the company grew from four trucks to more than 200. Gene always credited Tom Inman with inspiring his entrepreneurial spirit.
In 1978, Gene founded Christenson Transportation as an exempt commodities transportation broker. He moved the business to Springfield, Missouri, in 1979 and, during industry deregulation, became an early pioneer of the modern brokerage model, rebranding the company as CS Carrier Service. He was a founding charter member of the Truck Brokers Conference of America (TBCA). Later, a charter founding member of Freight Forwarders of America (FFCA), these two organizations joined to form the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA). He was an inaugural member of that association.
In 1988, Gene’s brokerage and freight forwarder contracts were argued as an amicus brief before the Supreme Court of the United States during the “balance due” cases. He was on the winning side of the decision, which relieved shippers and brokers of balance-due liability.
In 1990, Gene’s son Don joined the business, and in 1994 they founded Christenson Transportation as a Common and Contract Carrier in the dry van sector. Gene loved working with truck drivers and spent the next 11 years as a dispatcher before retiring in 2005, when he sold the business to his son.
Gene laid a strong foundation for the company as it exists today, passing on a legacy of integrity, leadership, and knowledge. His son Don often recalled Gene’s advice when he became president of the brokerage in 1992: “Provide a safe place for your employees to earn a living for their families, and the business will take care of itself.”
In his later years, Gene cherished time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He lived a gentle life, rarely raising his voice. It was often said that Gene spoke softly and not often—but when he did, everyone listened.
Gene will be deeply missed by his family, former employees, truck drivers, and the many people whose lives and businesses he touched throughout his career. |
Rest in peace until we meet again. |
Celebration of Life |
March 21, 2026 Time & Location to be announced & shared by friends and family on social media. |
In honor of Gene’s lifelong love for animals and his many rescue dogs over the past 50 years, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Castaways Animal Rescue at www.carerescue.org.
About Christenson Transportation Inc.Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Strafford, Missouri, Christenson Transportation is a mid-sized, family-run carrier specializing in time-sensitive freight. With additional operations in Lebanon, Tennessee, the company is a multi-year recipient of the Truckload Carriers Association Safety Award, the Platinum Fleet Award for Outstanding Achievement in Highway Traffic Safety, and TCA’s Elite Fleet 2025 Best Places to Drive.
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