Christopher “Chris” Daniel Pokorny was born October 17, 1959 in Cleveland, Ohio to Barbara Ann (Prucha) and Francis Daniel “Dan” Pokorny.  Chris graduated from Cardinal High School in 1977 where he played on and managed the Varsity Basketball team and rose to 2ndClass as a Boy Scout.

Chris joined the Regular Army in July 1977. Due to his excellent language abilities, Chris was selected to attend the Defense Language School at the Presidio in Monterey, California, where he studied to be a Russian linguist.

Chris’ commander recognized his talents and saw that he received a Regular Army Appointment to West Point. Chris joined many classmates at the USMA Preparatory School and later entered the Corps of Cadets in July 1979 as a member of the Class of 1983.

Pokorny joined company F-2, the Zoo, where he was unquestionably friendly to everyone. Chris managed both the Track and Cross-Country teams, and became the Russian Club president our Firstie year. He also joined an investment club, which set him off on a lifelong love of investing, something he called “legalized gambling.”

Above all else, Chris will be remembered for his natural talent for language in Russian class.  As we progressed, the number of students per class naturally became fewer. By advanced Russian, there were typically only three or four students per class and literally nowhere to hide. The professors immediately knew if you did your homework or not. Chris; however, was always ready to just “wing it,” and with his terrific sense of humor always got away with it.  We should have been jealous, but Chris always looked out for us. Chris had an amazing talent to, at a moment’s notice, keep the class in stitches and lighten the mood just enough to distract the P and get a classmate out of a jam who was obviously stuck on an oral assignment.

As was his tongue-in-cheek style, Chris was heard to say on branch night “Why walk when you can ride, why ride when you can hide….go MI”.  Of course, then, with a wry smile, Chris branched Field Artillery!

Chris proudly served his country as an Artillery officer. After active-duty in 1991, Chris returned home to Ohio, earning a Master’s degree in education from Kent State in 1996, certifying in math and – what else? - Russian. He also returned to the military, joining the Army Reserves, and changed branches to Intelligence.  Following the tragedy of 9/11, Chris served two tours at a military intelligence center in England. He returned to the states and took charge of a new military intelligence unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, eventually retiring as a Colonel in 2013.  He received the Legion of Merit Award and the Distinguished Service Award.

Chris married the love of his life Cheri in 1997. It was with their steadfast determination and love that they raised two outstanding sons, Ian and Brian.  Ian, now 24, graduated from Ohio University in May 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Integrated Media. Brian, now 22, followed in his father’s footsteps and attended college at Kent State, graduating in May 2021, with a degree in Computer Information Systems.

Chris was active with his boys in Troop 25 BSA teaching the values and life skills that help boys become fine young men. Chris was also a soccer coach and referee, was active in the Hartford community, and an active presence at the Hartford Fair. He enjoyed gardening and yardwork, politics and sports. He was a die-hard fan of the Cleveland Indians and Browns and the Columbus Crew.

With his experience and education, Chris turned to his passion, teaching. Chris’s first assignment was as a substitute teacher for both the North Fork and Southwest Licking School Districts. He loved teaching kids of all ages and all subjects, but in recent years, he especially enjoyed teaching elementary students. Chris really enjoyed teaching a few Russian words and using soccer to teach all sorts of things, especially science. However, Chris will be best remembered for his leadership of the Northridge School Board.

Chris was appointed to the school board in 2011 and served until his untimely passing. Chris knew that he could have the greatest impact and could positively affect the next generation of Licking County and the Northridge Local School District from this seat. Not content with administration, he also coached the middle school Power of the Pen team and often judged tournaments.

Chris’ plans were to continue to teach for as long as he could. It was his understanding of what a positive impact a good teacher could have on children that drove him to always make a point to honor the work of Northridge teachers.

Chris brought so much to his community. He was always impeccably principled. He had a strong moral compass and his ethics were beyond reproach. He showed compassion for anyone suffering misfortune or adversity. He was committed to helping every student within his reach.  Chris brought his passion to his responsibilities as a member of the board, but equally to students he encountered in his classrooms and on the soccer pitch as a coach or referee.  It is the moral fortitude cultivated by his parents, strengthened by his work with the Class of ’83, and matured in the Army that will leave a gaping hole throughout Licking County.

Chris’ passion will benefit generations to come. Further, there is no question that Colonel Chris Pokorny passed away doing what he loved the most - serving others and holding high and revering those three hallowed words: Duty, Honor, Country.