Obituary for Christopher Dula Dr. Christopher Stephen Dula of Johnson City, TN entered this life on July 2, 1969 and peacefully went to be with our Lord on January 8, 2019. He was surrounded by family and loved ones. We know Chris entered Heaven with a big “HELLO” and is playing the most beautiful music our ears could hear.
Chris was well known for Kryss Dula and Friends, a group of various musicians performing regularly at local venues. Not only was it a hobby, music was a huge part of his life. He and his friends utilized their talents and love of music to raise money for local charities.
Chris was a beloved Professor of Psychology at East Tennessee State University from 2011 to present. He was a former Adjunct Faculty Member in the ETSU Dept. of Family Medicine and Director of the Applied Psychology Lab at ETSU.
Chris was a prolific scholar and received multiple Honors and Awards prior and during his tenure at ETSU, including Top 25 List of University Professors for RateMyProfessor.com (this list was derived from over 14 million spontaneous and anonymous student ratings of over 1. 7 million college-level instructors at more than 7,500 schools in the US/UK/Canada) which he was most proud of. Chris also had numerous peer reviewed publications, book chapters, and funded grants.
Most recently, ETSU honored Chris by creating an annual Dr. Chris Dula Day of service to be held at ETSU, commencing later this semester. His education included University of Memphis (U of M), Memphis, TN 2003-2004 where he completed his Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA 2000-2003 where he received his Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology; Appalachian State University (ASU), Boone, NC 1997-2000 where he earned a Master of Arts, Clinical Psychology; University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), Charlotte, NC 1994-1996 where he received his Bachelor of Science, Psychology and Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy; Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Charlotte, NC 1992-1994 where he received his Associate in Arts. Chris graduated from Myers Park High School, Charlotte, NC.
Most recently, Chris wrote his memoir under the pen name Steven Sage called Experiments in Life: One Man’s Transformation from Privilege to Pathetic, Penitent to Professor. The objective for this book was to provide inspiration as well as to raise money for his favorite charities with 75 of the proceeds being donated. Chris received his infant baptism at Park Road Moravian Church, Charlotte, NC and his confirmation at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC.
Chris is Survived by his beloved wife Denise Dula of Johnson City, TN, Daughter Courtney Nikila Dula of Plainfield, IN, Son Daelin M Dula of Johnson City,TN and Step Daughter Corinna D. James and her husband Derrick James of Kingsport, TN, his mother Linda Thomas Plettner and Stepfather Vernon Plettner of Winter Haven, FL, Father C. Stephen Dula and Stepmother Gail Young Dula of Highpoint, NC, Brother Mark T Dula and Marjorie of Missoula, MT, Brother Ted Helsabeck and Stephanie of Highpoint, NC, Step Brother Patrick Plettner of Charlotte, NC, Step Sister Dr. Deborah Plettner Kilgore of Newborn, NC, Honorary Brother William “Scooby” Norment and Ann of Fort Mill, SC, Niece Eleanor Dula of Missoula, MT, Nephew Nick Helsabeck of Highpoint, NC, Honorary Granddaughter and Hero Alana “LaLa” Baldwin. Chris is preceded in death by Grandparents, Tommy and Ina Thomas, Clyde and Helen Dula, Stepbrother Christopher Helsabeck, and special Grandfather in law Joseph E. Good. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Walter B. Hagemeyer award at CPCC scholarship established in Chris Dula’s name, Family Promise of Greater Johnson City Tennessee, or the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke Hospital.
Celebration of Life will be held in Brooks Gym on the Johnson City ETSU Campus on Sunday, January 13th at 1 p.m. and will be open to the public. Memories and Condolences may be shared at www. tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, Tennessee 37604, (423) 610-7171, is honored to serve the Dula family. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Christopher Dula please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Celebration of Life Service , JAN 13.
1:00 PM Brooks Gym – ETSU Johnson City, TN, US Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Service Guaranteed delivery before Christopher’s Celebration of Life Service begins.
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