James "Kris" Krestensen

Graveside funeral services for Dr. James “Kris” Gordon Krestensen, age 86, of Vidalia and formerly of Natchez will be held 10:00 at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 with Rev. William Gassett officiating. Dr. Kris was born on January 12, 1923 in Key West, Florida to Jens and Alice Krestensen. He passed away Saturday, August 29, 2009 in Vidalia, La. His childhood was spent in Hilo, Hawaii. He was a graduate of Gulfport High School in Gulfport, Ms. He received his B.S. from Millsaps College, M.S. from the University of Mississippi, and his M.D. from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center. He was a Veteran of World War II where he began his service as an MP in the U.S. Army. Shortly after his service in the Army began was assigned to the Contingent Medical Section where he began his medical training and served as a Medic in the European, African, and Meddle Eastern Theatre. He received the Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the American Service Medal. He moved to Natchez in 1956, where he began practicing General Medicine. He completed a residency in Radiology and Nuclear medicine and was a practicing partner with Radiology Associates of Natchez until his retirement. Dr. Krestensen was a founding member of the First Lutheran Church of Natchez and sustaining member of the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed raising cows, vegetable gardening, and Ole Miss Football. He was preceded in death by his parents and step mother Disa Krestensen; wives Patricia Rife Krestensen and Joy Posey Paker daughter-in-law Lucie M. Krestensen, and Nephew Alex K. Taylor, and one brother Elroy Krestensen. Survivors include daughter Disa Taunton and Husband Dr. Brent Taunton of Vidalia, La.; son Jim Krestensen of Calhoun, La.; Sister Rita K. Lyda and husband Roger of Ashville, NC.; brother Lloyd Krestensen of Three Rivers, Alaska; Step-daughters Cretia parker Guillory of Longville, LA. and Christi Parker Townsend, of Denham Springs, LA. grandchildren Travis Taunton and wife Stephanie of Metairie, LA, Megan Krestensen and Kari Krestensen of Calhoun, LA, and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be James Butler, Mark Taunton, Charles Moffett, Randy Temple, Dr. Fred Emrick, Dr. Raymond Brown, Clint Pomeroy, and Michael Lyda. The family will receive friends at Young’s Funeral Home of Vidalia from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday September 1, 2009.

James "Kris" Krestensen

January 12, 1923 - August 29, 2009