Roy Christensen Born:  January 1, 1916 Died:  April 20, 2009 KFH Barn Dance Frolic KFH Wichita, KS

About The Artist Cousin Roy Christenson was one of the original members of the KFH Ark Valley Boys that Andy Crockett organized in January of 1939. He was born in Glendale Township in Saline County, Kansas in 1916. His parents were Martin and Freda Christensen who were living in Saline County at the time. Census records he was a farmer. His parents were of Danish descent while his mother's parents were of German descent. They had three sons. On February 8, 1941, "Cousin Mickey" Pennington started a new show that was sponsored by Sarbert Nurseries of Topeka, Kansas. Among her supporting cast were Roy and his accordion, Denny Dennis on guitar and Tom Noone handling the announcing chores. It was during a KFH Barn Dance Frolic broadcast at the Alaskan Roller Palace that Roy married Irene Estes (a half-sister to Mickey Pennington) on July 15, 1939. They had a daughter, Melody Anne, in 1943. They were divorced in Norfolk County, Virginia on May 18, 1951 after being separated since August 1945. He remarried and later moved to Lubbock, Texas where his daughter had a hand in converting him to Christianity by getting him to attend church. After his conversion, he preached at a small Church of Christ congregation in Elizabeth City, North Carolina for about six years. He later moved to Lubbock, Texas where he attended the Sunset School of Preaching. The couple lived in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area. Roy joined the U. S. Navy in October 1943 and was discharged after over two years of service. During his time in the Navy, he completed recruit training in Farragut, Idaho and was named 'honor man of his company' after he completed the training. He went on to use his musical background to play the trumpet in a band while stationed in San Diego. He also entertained his fellow sailors by playing a giant pipe organ, but no details as to where he played. Credits & Sources Will Wed At KFH Barn Dance Frolic; July 12, 1939; The Wichita Eagle; Wichita, KS Serving Uncle Sam; December 6, 1943; The Wichita Eagle; Wichita, KS Josef Hofman Piano Virtuoso On KFH Today; March 5, 1944; The Wichita Eagle; Wichita, KS Sarber Nursries Have New Program; February 9, 1941; The Wichita Eagle; Wichita, KS

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