Christopher Michael New, born October 12, 1973, at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away October 5, 2026, following a brief illness.

Christopher was the son of Kennie Sue Bailey Birch and Ricky Fay New.

Chris had an easy way with people. He made friends quickly, could strike up a conversation just about anywhere, and had a gift for making people feel comfortable, welcome, and at home. He loved gathering around good food with good people, and he was an animated storyteller who could make even an ordinary story considerably more colorful.

Family mattered to Chris. He often relied on advice from his father and stepfather to tackle DIY projects around the house or troubleshoot car problems. The bond he shared with his mother, Kennie, held a particularly special place in his life, and their relationship grew stronger than ever, especially during his illness.

He was a voracious reader with wide-ranging curiosity, equally at home with a book about Middle Eastern geopolitics or a rock-and-roll biography. He became an avid Green Bay Packers fan and enjoyed kayaking, being outdoors, and the adventures he always wished he had made a little more time for.

Chris was also an excellent dog dad, a committed, supportive, and loving partner, and the kind of friend people knew they could count on. He was a good time, a good sport and, most importantly, a truly good friend. The lives he touched will forever be a little brighter — and a little funnier — because he was part of them.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Calvin Phillip Birch; his brothers, Michael Birch and Phillip Birch; his maternal grandparents, Joe Marks and Kenneth Bailey; his maternal great-grandmother, Mama Rose Davis; and his paternal grandparents, Fay New, Mildred New, and Opal New.

Christopher is survived by his mother, Kennie Birch; his father, Ricky (Rita) New; his sister, Vikki (Devon) Hudgens; his brother, Jeremy (Amanda) New; nephew, Joseph Birch; his aunt and uncle, Barbara and Fay Breeding; his life partner, Tricia Larson; close family friend Bill (Roxanna) Atherton; and a host of extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 10 at Saline Independent Methodist Church in Benton.

Christopher will be deeply missed by the many people fortunate enough to have known, loved, laughed, and shared a story with him.