Christopher Michael Raiford
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Christopher Michael Raiford on December 23, 2024. He was a loving husband, father, son, nephew, brother, and friend that embodied what it meant to care for others and be there when it really mattered.
Family and friends, including his two sons J.R. (6) and Luke (4), looked up to him while he lifted the world’s weight off their shoulders. He enjoyed helping others – help solve a problem, help when times were tough, or simply help someone move.
Chris loved his family, leaving behind a large hole in the lives of his wife Laura Balkcom Raiford who met Chris in 2014, his children, his mom, Jan Curl Raiford of Soperton, Ga., and his brother, Mark Raiford (Nicole) of Glennville, Ga. He is also survived by his uncle Jeff and aunt Sheila Raiford of Soperton, GA, aunt Cheryl Raiford of Nashville, TN as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and colleagues, who loved and respected him.
Second only to his love for his family, was his passion for his work at Bryan Electric as a project manager and leader. He embodied a dedicated work ethic and drive that provided a sense of achievement, even leading the team as project manager with his previous company MetroPower that won the Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors.
He enjoyed hunting, playing baseball, riding motorcycles, and watching football. His love of hunting was passed from his dad and Chris had begun to share that passion with his boys. His love for baseball also started at a young age and continued as he played for the Vikings at Treutlen County High School, with great results as a pitcher and hitter. Lately, he passed his love of the game on to others by helping coach his son’s tee-ball team this past Fall.
Even though he hung up his helmet after having kids, in his late 20s, Chris started riding motorcycles, and ended up with a Harley. He felt blessed to find great friends to take weekend rides around the North Georgia Mountains and long distance excursions to Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. He loved his collegiate alma mater, Georgia Southern University, where he graduated with an electrical engineering degree, and you could also find him wearing red and black to root for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Chris was proceeded in death by his father, Randy Raiford, his uncle Rick Raiford, grandparents Dick and Donna Raiford, and grandparents James and Dimple Curl of Soperton, Georgia.
To honor Chris’s life and share memories, friends and family will gather for visitation at the Buford Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory on Monday, December 30, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 pm and include dedicated time for anyone to share a special memory or story of Chris to his sons.
The following day, Tuesday, December 31, 2024, Chris will be buried next to his father at Westview Cemetery, Soperton, GA. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at the funeral home and the service will be at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Higgs Funeral Home. Sheriff Tommy Corbin and Pastor Barbara Nelson will officiate. Burial will follow, where he will be remembered for his kindness, laughter, and love for those around him.
Flowers are warmly accepted, but in honor of Chris’s lasting legacy, a family fund has been established for his sons, J.R. and Luke. Contributions to this fund are greatly appreciated to support the boys’ future. https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/christopher-raiford
Higgs Funeral Home {(higgsfuneralhomeandflorist.com) and facebook} of Soperton has charge of local arrangements.
Family and friends, including his two sons J.R. (6) and Luke (4), looked up to him while he lifted the world’s weight off their shoulders. He enjoyed helping others – help solve a problem, help when times were tough, or simply help someone move.
Chris loved his family, leaving behind a large hole in the lives of his wife Laura Balkcom Raiford who met Chris in 2014, his children, his mom, Jan Curl Raiford of Soperton, Ga., and his brother, Mark Raiford (Nicole) of Glennville, Ga. He is also survived by his uncle Jeff and aunt Sheila Raiford of Soperton, GA, aunt Cheryl Raiford of Nashville, TN as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, and colleagues, who loved and respected him.
Second only to his love for his family, was his passion for his work at Bryan Electric as a project manager and leader. He embodied a dedicated work ethic and drive that provided a sense of achievement, even leading the team as project manager with his previous company MetroPower that won the Excellence in Construction Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors.
He enjoyed hunting, playing baseball, riding motorcycles, and watching football. His love of hunting was passed from his dad and Chris had begun to share that passion with his boys. His love for baseball also started at a young age and continued as he played for the Vikings at Treutlen County High School, with great results as a pitcher and hitter. Lately, he passed his love of the game on to others by helping coach his son’s tee-ball team this past Fall.
Even though he hung up his helmet after having kids, in his late 20s, Chris started riding motorcycles, and ended up with a Harley. He felt blessed to find great friends to take weekend rides around the North Georgia Mountains and long distance excursions to Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon. He loved his collegiate alma mater, Georgia Southern University, where he graduated with an electrical engineering degree, and you could also find him wearing red and black to root for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Chris was proceeded in death by his father, Randy Raiford, his uncle Rick Raiford, grandparents Dick and Donna Raiford, and grandparents James and Dimple Curl of Soperton, Georgia.
To honor Chris’s life and share memories, friends and family will gather for visitation at the Buford Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory on Monday, December 30, 2024, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00 pm and include dedicated time for anyone to share a special memory or story of Chris to his sons.
The following day, Tuesday, December 31, 2024, Chris will be buried next to his father at Westview Cemetery, Soperton, GA. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at the funeral home and the service will be at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Higgs Funeral Home. Sheriff Tommy Corbin and Pastor Barbara Nelson will officiate. Burial will follow, where he will be remembered for his kindness, laughter, and love for those around him.
Flowers are warmly accepted, but in honor of Chris’s lasting legacy, a family fund has been established for his sons, J.R. and Luke. Contributions to this fund are greatly appreciated to support the boys’ future. https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/christopher-raiford
Higgs Funeral Home {(higgsfuneralhomeandflorist.com) and facebook} of Soperton has charge of local arrangements.