Jeff Rhineer- CJ's Life Sketch

Christian James Rhineer, CJ passed away February 14^th, 2012 in Irvine, California.

            He was born in Provo, Utah on December 18^th, 1983 to John and Jean Rhineer.  He went to school at Granview Elementery, Dixion Junior High, and Provo High School where he was an All-State golfer.

            He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Leeds, England.  We all knew he was a great missionary, but we didn’t truly understand how many lives he touch until after his death, when his Facebook page was flooded by those he met while serving the Lord.  My mom and I were extremely touched when he read those comments while we sat by his side at the hospital.

            He is proceeded in death by his father, John.

            He is survived by his mother, Jean.  They had an incredible relationship, but it was one that was sometimes hard to understand.  They shared unconditional love, but at times they bickered like an old married couple.  You could come home and find them in a warm embrace, or you could find him standing outside the kitchen closet with a scared look on his face after locking her inside after a disagreement.

            He is survived by 5 brothers and 1 sister.  David. Greg and his wife Julie.  Gina and her husband Mike Van Buren.  Jeff and my wife Melanie.  Matt and his wife Stacey.  And Nick and his wife Lori.  As well as 17 nieces and nephews.  Jamie, Seth, Jack, Nate, Tyson, Lily, Abbie, Grace, Mia, Maximus, Talia, Katie, Lizzy, Will, Matthew, Milo, and Stella who arrived this past week.

            He is survived by his wife, Keri.  He fell madly in love with her, and charished the time they spent together.

            He also loved the Miller family.  When I first asked him about Keri’s family, he light up and said, “They love me, they’re golfers!”

            He was beloved by Terry and Kathy Miller.  Kyle and his wife Samantha.  Kaci and husband Brian Bronson.  Tera.  Toni her husband Aaron Thomas.  And Ty.  Along with 4 nieces and 1 nephew.  Kate, Owen, Joshlyn, Baily, and Brooklynn.

            CJ worked extremely hard to graduate from the University of Utah while he worked at Fidelity Investments in Salt Lake City.  He worked there for a number of years, getting jobs for many of his friends and a brother along the way.  He was surprised by how many going-away lunches he had before he left.  He said “I didn’t even know if they liked me.”  After talking to his co-workers yesterday, it’s clear he was not only liked, but loved. 

He moved to Irvine, California at the end of last year after his boss told the manager in Irvine he would be idiot not to hire CJ.  He thrived at his job.  His intellegence and people skills helped him become very successful.

            He worked hard and played hard.  His career was a means to do amazing things with Kari.  And it was their relationship that inspired his colleagues in Irvine.  Kari brought him lunch just about every day, and they ate together at a picnic table outside his office building.  His loving gestures to his wife inspired one of his co-workers to say CJ made him want to be a better husband.

            Christian James Rhineer.  Little Brother.  Obedient son.  Loving Husband.  Caring uncle.  Loyal friend.  Trusted companion.  A man of integrity.  A man of honor.  A man of faith.  A man of God.