Jon Todd Christensen

Jon Todd Christensen, 77, of New Smyrna Beach, FL and formerly of Erie, PA, passed away at his home on July 19, 2023 following a brief illness.

Born Aug. 20, 1945 in Erie, Jon was a 1964 graduate of Academy High School, where he was on the student senate and a class officer. He was an excellent athlete at Academy, where he was quarterback of the football team, a pitcher on the baseball team, and on the wrestling and track teams.
 
Jon graduated from Bethany (WV) College in 1968 with a degree in journalism, and was quarterback of their football team and a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He later did work on a master’s degree in education at Gannon University.

After college Jon went on to a long and noted coaching career in the Erie area, and was very popular with his players, staff and colleagues. He first coached at Northwestern High School in Albion (1968-74) and then at his alma mater, Academy, from 1974-78. In 1976 his Academy Lions beat Cathedral Prep 24-6 to earn their first city championship since 1945. Jon then became head coach and athletic director at McDowell High School (1978-86). He was very active in the PIAA and worked summer camps at Penn State with Joe Paterno.

After moving to Florida in 1986, Jon became assistant athletic director at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando (1986-88), and then administrative dean at Evans High School (1988-95). In 1995 he became administrative dean at Boone High School in Orlando, from where he retired in 2010.

Jon kept Erie at the very core of his heart, and kept in touch with many of his colleagues and former players, often visiting them during his frequent trips back home. He never missed a class reunion, and kept up with Erie high school football, often attending games when he visited Erie.

He was an avid golfer, and loved his Cleveland teams, and enjoyed attending baseball spring training games in Florida. He was a supporter of the Shriner’s Hospital Burn Center in Cincinnati.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Rita (Weber) Christensen, and his brother, David L. Christensen (Helen). He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra Callo Christensen, son Kurtis Paul Christensen, sister Kathy (William) Herniman, brother Neil “Chip” Christensen (Linda, deceased), and his beloved grandchildren Brooke, Nina, Lily and Tyler Jon Christensen. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A special thanks goes to the Halifax Hospice Center in New Smyrna, and the large turnout of friends from Boone High School who gathered at Jon’s home to show their love and support of him four days before he died. 

A Celebration of Jon’s Life will take place in Erie at a future date.

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