Johnny Wayne Childress

On July 7, 1935, a second son, Johnny Wayne Childress was born to Nina and Doyle Childress in Gilmer, Texas.
Johnny had been in an Abilene Hospital for approximately three weeks and he had fought a good fight and had run the race. Then on July 1, 2011, he received his crown of glory from his Lord and Savior and went to his heavenly home.
A celebration of his life was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at the First Baptist Church with Revs. Jacob West and John Erwin officiating. The burial of his earthly body was at the Spring Creek Cemetery in Avoca under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home. The family received friends at the funeral home on Saturday evening.
Johnny’s family moved to Jones County when he was a small child, and he was educated through the Avoca school system. After his high school graduation he attended Texas Tech. Later he began his employment of 39 years with West Texas Utilities as a draftsman. The love of his life, Peggy Ivy, married him on December 30, 1955. Johnny retired in 1995 as the District Distribution Superintendent. This gave the couple a chance to travel and to spend summers in their beloved mountains of Colorado.
Johnny and Peggy joined the First Baptist Church in Stamford in 1959, and Johnny taught a boys’ Sunday school class for many years. Having two boys of his own, he coached pee wee and little league baseball, bringing home the city championship several times. The boys he coached admired him greatly. This kind man loved scouting and was a Scout Master for 14 years. His troop made several camping trips through Texas and other states, including New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. On one of these trips the young scouts were delighted to meet John Wayne.
Johnny was a member and past president of several organizations. At the time of his presidency in the Stamford Jaycees, he began the walking blood bank. He worked diligently in the Stamford Art Foundation, and also the Stamford Rotary Club. The Rotarians presented him the Paul Harris Award. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. In 1975 Johnny was asked to design the District 2E-1 Lions Club pin for 1975-1976, and later received a plaque from the District Governor.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of 55 years. She resides in Stamford. Two sons, Drew Childress and wife Faye of Oplin, and Tim Childress and wife Drinda of Abilene, will care for their mother. He also has a living sister, Wanda Ross and husband R. D. of Hurst, TX, and 1 brother, Truman Childress and wife Linda Sue of Houston. The 4 grandchildren caused Johnny’s eyes to light up and a big smile to cross his face. They are Michael and Meghan Childress, and Garrett and Dillan Strickland. The latest addition to Johnny’s life is a great-grandson, Kail Alexander Alvis.
His parents and one brother, Clayton Childress, preceded him in death.
Surely Johnny Wayne Childress was a man after God’s own heart.