MAJ. CHRIS ECONOMY (USAF-Ret.), 83,

of Green Valley, La Quinta, Calif. and Huntley, Ill., and formerly of West Dundee, Ill., passed away Friday, April 4, 2008, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., after a brief illness.

He was born June 10, 1924, in Elgin, Ill., the son of James and Athanasia Economy. He was a graduate of Elgin High School, class of ‘42, and attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.

After returning from service in WWII, he completed his education at Drake University in Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Administration.

Chris received his pilot training in Santa Ana, Calif. and at Cal Aero in Ontario, Calif., where he flew Stearman PT-17s and BT-13s. He was sent to Douglas, Ariz. for advanced flight training on AT-17s and B-25s and he received his wings in April of 1944 - class 44D.

He served four years of active duty during WWII, where he flew several different aircraft, including B-17s, B-24s, B-25s, B-29s, C-47s, C-54s, UC-45s and UC-78s. He flew extensively over “The Hump” in the China-Burma-India Theater of operations, in addition to numerous other missions.

At the end of WWII, Chris remained in the active Reserves for 26 years where he attained the rank of Major before mandatory retirement one day before he was to be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Chris was a man before his time and was truly possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit, engaging in many and varied business ventures during his lifetime.

Both Chris and his brother-in-law, James C. Cordogan, owned and operated The Royal Lounge in Elgin, which featured nightly live entertainment of a caliber not found at that time in the far northwestern suburbs. He brought nationally renowned musicians to perform at the Royal from the Blue Note, one of Chicago’s premier jazz clubs during the 1950s. They later opened the Tiki Lounge in Elgin which many still remember featured a tropical theme, complete with thatched bar and festively painted totem poles to capitalize on the popular Polynesian and surfing trend of the 1960s. They also opened The Viking Restaurant and Smorgasbord in East Dundee, often feeding several hundred people daily, and pioneered the serving of such exotic fare as all you care to eat Alaskan king crab legs at a time when they were virtually unknown.

Operating in a period before computer aided design and graphics, Chris personally designed all the advertising, promotional material and menus, drawing much of the artwork free hand.

He also brought the “pub” concept to the local area when they built and opened the original Village Squire Restaurant, which is still located in West Dundee, and highlighted the novelty of unlimited peanuts, the shells of which patrons were encouraged to discard on the floor.

Chris also shared in the operation of Food Service Management, which provided on-site food services for employees of large companies such as Illinois Tool Works, Lee Wards and McGraw Edison. He also held his insurance broker’s license and operated C&E Insurance Agency. Chris was a bail bondsman for many years and even operated silver mines in Colorado for a time.

A licensed real estate broker since 1966, Chris, with his business partner Jim, purchased one of the first Century 21 franchises in the area, opening Century 21 Equity Realty in downtown Elgin, which employed as many as 30 associate agents. He served on the Elgin Board of Realtors for many years and was a past president of the organization. He also spearheaded the Board’s neighborhood revitalization program and gave many presentations on the subject.

Before “green” was a term for anything other than color, Chris was involved in the then-fledgling recycling industry, working directly with ALCOA and other large companies in pilot mobile recycling centers for glass and aluminum cans in the greater Chicago area.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as piloting his own private airplane. He was a passionate golfer, often playing 36 holes at a time at the Elgin Country Club and at Desert Hills Golf Club where he also maintained membership.

Chris was a prolific painter and many of his original oil works hang in the homes and offices of friends and family.

Chris was a founding member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Elgin. He was instrumental in finding the existing building and brokering the deal for the Church and personally signed the original mortgage note in order to secure the site.

Chris was a life member of the Retired Officers’ Association, a 110% Charter Sponsor of the Air Force Memorial Foundation, a member of the Air Force Association, a member of the Reserve Officers’ Association of the United States, as well as The Aero Club and the 260 Club of Green Valley. He also belonged to the Elks Lodge of Green Valley and the American Legion of Elgin, and was a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose as well as a Mason.

He is survived by his four children: Kim Stuart of Lake Zurich, Ill., Dyan (Jerome) Werderitch of Hillsboro Beach, Fla., James C. Economy of Spring Grove, Ill. and Vance Economy of Chicago; three grandchildren: Christopher J. Garris of Spring Grove and Katherine and Nicholas Stuart of Lake Zurich; and very special friend and companion Dorothy D. Hanley of Elgin and La Quinta.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen; his parents James and Athanasia; his brother Nick; and his sister Elaine. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin. (www.st-sophia.com) Burial with military honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, Ill. Visitation will be at the time of services only.

Chris was an incredible husband and father who made friends no matter where he went. He had a wonderful sense of humor and great insight. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Air Force Memorial Foundation.

Laird Funeral Home, Elgin, is in charge of arrangements.