Chris Sane

Walter Christopher Sane, Jr. Age 79

DOD: June 20, 2023

After surviving multiple attempts on his life­­--two stage IV cancer diagnoses (first one in 2004), falling onto live power lines, an excessive radiation dose during a generator jump at a nuclear power plant, etc.--Chris peacefully slipped away at his home on June 20, 2023, to the utter shock of those of us who thought he had picked up a case of immortality along the way. Chris always did like to leave people with their mouth hanging open.

Chris was born in Rutherfordton, North Carolina and spent his entire life there with the exception of the 4 years he spent in the US Air Force. While the USAF did allow Chris to spend time in Alaska, he was fond of saying the only good thing he got out of it was his wife. He met Ruth in Dover, DE and they were married for 56 years until she preceded him in death last July.  Chris is the son of the late Walter Christopher Sane, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Sane.

He is survived by his two daughters, Jenny (Hugh) of Chapel Hill, NC and Amy (Jack) of Mills River, NC; and two granddaughters, Grace and Caroline as well as his brother Benny Sane of Rutherfordton. In addition to these survivors, Chris is also survived by a family of friends who not only assisted in his care, what little assistance he allowed, but also filled his life with joy.

In terms of life work, there was very little Chris didn't do. Some of his top talents were welder, truck driver, BBQ pit boss, woodworker, inventor, gardener extraordinaire, and teller of elaborate and colorful stories. These are the talents we can tell you about that won't bring in government agencies asking a bunch of questions.

Despite undergoing numerous treatments this past year for serious health concerns, Chris greeted every trip to the doctors and hospital as an opportunity to spread smiles and good humor. While this meant that Chris very much tested the the limits of his daughters' medications, he brightened many a day especially at UNC Oncology and Advanced Dermatology of Asheville. His family wish to extend their gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the medical teams at the Asheville VA Hospital, the Forest City VA Clinic, Advanced Dermatology of Asheville, and the oncology team at UNC Chapel Hill, especially Dr. HJ Kim, Dr. Mark Woodcock and Dr. Scott Chen.  Without your patience, talents and expertise in your fields, we would not have had the extraordinary gift of him for so long.

On Saturday, July 22, 2023, a private celebration of life will be held to celebrate both Chris and Ruth– their lives, their love story and the ones who loved them.

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