Lakeland school kids have lost one of their favorite bus drivers. Mr. Christian has driven a bus route for Lakeland kids since 2017. Employed through Durham Bus Service, he has retired from bus driving and moved from Bartlett, along with his wife, to Olive Branch, MS, to pursue a career as a diesel mechanic.
Christian Krehl, known affectionately by the kids as “Mr. Christian” is a former marine who worked in the bakery industry at Hostess and Sara Lee. According to parent Lauren Baird, “He truly takes an interest in the kids and cares about them. He talks with them and knows what is going on in their lives. We are so grateful that we have never had worry about the kids on the bus. They actually look forward to it.”
Last year he had a surprise birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese’s and some of the kids and their families attended. This year he drove a car in the Lakeland Christmas parade as his final farewell to the community he has been a part of for the last four years.
In Mr. Christian’s own words, “I do not speak lightly when I tell you I’ve had jobs of all different kinds at all different pay levels, but being able to spend precious time with your children, laugh and sometimes even holler, has been such an incredible blessing to me…the best job I’ve ever had. The smiles, the hugs, and the amazing stories told to me by wide eyed children…those weren’t perks offered to me at any other job.”
Mr. Christian leaves behind big shoes to fill and we wish him all the best.
