DALTON, Ga. — Terry Christie spent his life studying and working in politics, from working for Jimmy Carter’s gubernatorial campaign to serving two terms on the Dalton City Council and teaching history and political science at Dalton State College for 26 years.

“Terry was a character in the great southern tradition, and he knew a lot of great characters,” said Dalton State College professor Ken Ellinger. “He had so many great stories. He told them so well, and he loved to hear other people tell their own stories. He was just an easy person to talk to.”

Christie passed away Friday at the age of 77.

A native of Bradenton, Fla., and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, Christie came to Dalton in 1967 as part of the first group of professors at what was then Dalton Junior College.

“His impact on Dalton State and on northwest Georgia is immense and immeasurable,” said DSC Director of Institutional Advancement David Elrod. “Having taught well over 10,000 students by his estimation to me a few years ago, there is no telling how many of them he encouraged to pursue careers in public life, whether in local, state or federal government service or elected office; how many he encouraged to question our elected officials but respect our institutions of government; or how many he encouraged to register to vote.

“Terry’s enthusiasm in the classroom, his excitement when he taught about the American political system, his energy and the twinkle in his eye, bouncing on the heels of his feet, peering over the half-rim glasses, that hearty laugh … all of this was part of the spectacular performance of a Christie lecture, and it was an experience few if any of his students ever forgot. I know. I was one of them 30 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Ellinger was hired to fill Christie’s position at DSC after Christie retired in 1993.

“It was tough stepping into that position. I know some students were disappointed they weren’t going to have him as a professor,” he said. “But he and I became great friends.”

In a 2008 interview with the Daily Citizen-News, Christie said his family’s politics were defined by a concern for working people and by moderation.

“If you can find a responsible, moderate position, that’s where I’m going to be most of the time. That’s what I was taught by listening to my father around the house,” he said.

Former DSC history professor John Hutcheson said Christie would often say, “I’ve been doing politics since I was 9.”

“Apparently, he was putting bumper stickers on cars for candidates,” Hutcheson said. “One way or another he was involved in politics after that.”

After spending four years in the Coast Guard, Christie graduated from Florida State University, starting his career in academia and resuming his involvement in politics.

“I was a hell of an advance man, and I’m proud of that. If you do that right, you keep the candidate from making a fool of himself. You make sure he knows what city you are in when you get off the airplane and who the local chairman is and who his wife is and where their daughter goes to college and all of those things,” Christie recalled.

Hutcheson said Christie was a “yellow dog Democrat.”

“But he loved being around Republicans and talking to Republicans,” he said. “There weren’t a lot of Republicans in this area then. But Harold Mann was very active in the Republican Party and served as the Republican Party chairman, and Terry would invite him to talk to his classes.”

When Christie made his own first run for political office in 1992, he challenged Mann for the state House of Representatives.

“I became a member of the 60-40 club. There are about five people in this town who were defeated by Harold Mann 60-40, and I’m one of them,” Christie recalled.

Despite the loss, Christie said he and Mann remained friends.

“That was the thing about Terry. He took politics seriously, but he didn’t take it personally,” said Ellinger. “He could disagree with you and still remain friends.”

Christie didn’t run for office again until 1999, when he ran for City Council.

“There were some people who came to me and asked me to run,” he said.

Christie won that election, defeating council member David Winkler.

“I won 60-40, and I like the 60 a lot better than the 40,” he said.

Christie served eight years on the council. Former mayor Ray Elrod served with Christie for that entire time.

“He was a great councilman. He loved the city of Dalton. He was one of those guys whose glass is always half full,” Elrod said. “He would always try to make sure the solution to whatever problem we faced benefited everyone, and that made it really easy to work with him.”

Mike Robinson served on the council with Christie for six years.

“We knew each other before that, but we became great friends on the council,” he said. “He was quick-witted, smart, thoughtful, enthusiastic and someone who really cared about the city.”

Robinson said Christie’s impact on Dalton will be felt for years to come.