Christopher J. Lockwood

Christopher Jude Lockwood, age 77, arrived on Fiddler's Green on February 26, 2025.

Born September 17, 1947, in Elmira, NY, he was the eldest of the three children of the late Irene Sowa Lockwood and Frederick Philip Lockwood. He was raised by his mother in Elmira and graduated from Elmira Free Academy.  On May 17, 1967, at the age of 19, he was drafted into the Armed Forces of the United States.

Chris was inducted into the United States Army on June 13, 1967.  His military training began at the US Army Training Center in Fort Dix, NJ.  From there he went to Army Aviation School in Fort Rucker, Alabama, and then to Hunter Army Airfield in Fort Stewart, Georgia.  Finally, the US Army sent him to the conflict in the Republic of Vietnam.  Chris served as a UH1 Huey crew chief and door gunner for the United States Army Company A, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.  His tour ended when he returned to the United States on June 5, 1969, as a Specialist Five.  Chris was awarded the Air Medal for participating in aerial missions over hostile territory in support of combat ground forces and the Army Commendation Medal for his distinguished and meritorious service.

Following his return from Vietnam, Chris met and fell in love with Linda J. Swan, and the two were married on Valentine's Day 1970.  They had two children - Debora and Christopher. Nothing was more important to Chris than his family.

Chris was preceded in death by his son, Christopher J. Lockwood II in 2015, and his parents. Chris left behind his loving wife of over fifty-five years, Linda J. Lockwood; his daughter and son-in-law Debora and Dr. Charles Wilke; his grandchildren Hannah (Ryan) Bell, Noah Wilke, Sarah Wilke, and Adah Wilke; his great-grandson Christopher Bell; his siblings Timothy Lockwood and Cynthia (Jeffrey) Barr; and his favorite dog, Brixton.

Chris will be remembered for his keen attention to detail and list-making, his spotless truck and cluttered garage, his wit and generosity, his patriotism and exemplary service to his county, and his endless love and dedication to his family.  Chris’s legacy of honoring the brave service members who lost their lives in Vietnam and the Vietnam veterans who returned home and continued their battle at home will be carried on through the generations.

As a final honor to Chris, he will be laid to rest at Woodlawn National Cemetery with full military honors on June 5, 2025, at 11am, exactly 56 years after he returned to the United States from Vietnam.

Remembrances may be shared directly with the family by email to [email protected] .  The family is especially interested in hearing from those who served with Chris. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.