Christopher Laine Fullerton

Christopher Laine Fullerton, age 74, of Wenatchee, passed away peacefully on the morning of 17 February, surrounded by family and friends. He was many things, a Marine, a journeyman electrician, an avid fisherman, car buff and sports fan. He was a hard worker who would do anything to help others, whether an electrical job, working on cars, or any kind of construction or remodel. But mostly he was a guy with a big heart who loved his family, his friends and a cold Budweiser. Chris was born in San Diego, California on December 16, 1951, the second of six children born to Hugh Alexander Fullerton and Wanda Willie (Bryson) Fullerton. The family moved to El Cajon, a semi-rural suburb east of the city, when Chris was in first grade, and shortly afterward his parents divorced. Times were rough for the next several years, the kids occasionally left on their own for days, often without food or electricity. Because of these circumstances, they became quite resourceful, and Chris, in particular, developed a talent not only for procuring food without paying for it, but he became an adept lifelong cook as well. In sixth grade, upon discovering the five dollar first prize for a school baking contest, he promptly made a cake from scratch and won. Attending three schools in one year was not unusual, as rent was often an issue for a single woman on welfare with a half dozen kids. Chris spent two years in foster care, several stays in the County Receiving Home, and lived at various times with this relative and that. Always an indifferent student, he instead loved to tinker with things, from bicycles to clock radios to soapbox derby racers. His attraction to blowing stuff up led to his getting a chemistry set one Christmas, and the smell of burnt sulphur everywhere convinced our mom to never again make that mistake. Having left high school in the fall of his senior year, Chris worked two jobs, busing tables and kitchen prep. One rainy morning in January 1969, Chris was walking to work when he ran into his brother, Scott, who was living in his VW bug. As they commiserated on the sidewalk, they decided to join the Marines, and before noon they were enlisted. Chris served the Corps honorably for seven years, eventually becoming an admin chief with the rank of staff sergeant. He was posted in southern California, Okinawa and at HQMC, Washington D.C., where he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his work on President Ford’s National Clemency Board. After the military, Chris lived briefly in San Diego but returned to Fairfax County, Virginia in 1980. For the next 37 years, Chris thrived in the construction industry in northern Virginia, eventually becoming a journeyman electrician with the IBEW. It was also in the 80s that Chris remarried and fathered two children, Christopher James and Natalie Jane. Chris guided his son through sports, often serving as a coach, and the two attended Redskins and Nationals games, and NASCAR events. It could be said he spoiled Natalie, the apple of his eye, but Chris swore he would never expose his kids to the suffering he had endured as a child. Perhaps his greatest gift to them, aside from his unconditional love, was imparting his fierce work ethic. In 2017, Chris relocated to Wenatchee to be near family. He worked as an electrician for Apple City Electric for a few years before retiring. He enjoyed fishing with his best buddy, Jerry Klein, at Alta Lake, and became an ardent Seahawks and Mariners fan. Chris is survived by his son, Chris (Jenah), of Orondo, his daughter, Natalie Hurley (Seth), of Stafford, VA and four grandchildren, Addison, Carter, Jack and Lincoln; a brother, Scott (Dawn), of East Wenatchee, and sisters Becky Jones of Winthrop, Bonnie Klein of Peshastin, and Sam (Larry) Zimmerlund of Sonoita, AZ (formerly of Twisp); a fourth sister, Ginger, died in 2019. He is also survived by half-brothers Kevin, Kelly and Kory Fullerton, and a stepsister, Debi Elam, all of southern California. There will be no formal service. A family gathering is planned.

Christopher Laine Fullerton

December 16, 1951 - February 17, 2026