JAMES WESLEY CHILDRESS, 85, passed from earth to
heaven on June 27, 2017. Jim's wishes that his ashes
be scattered in his beloved Sacramento Mountains of
New Mexico.
Jim was born on Oct. 9, 1931 in Texico, NM to Olga &
Wesley 'Slick' Childress. Olga died in 1935, and Slick
later married Jewell Derrick, who became Jim's mother.
Her family also welcomed him as their own, and he spent
many treasured childhood days with his cousins and
Grandad Derrick at the family ranch in Tatum, NM. Jim
and his parents moved to Carlsbad, NM, when he was in
the first grade. He graduated from Carlsbad High School
in 1950 where he excelled in the classroom and on the
gridiron. Jim then made the long trip by train to New
Orleans, LA to attend Tulane University. He was a proud
member of ATO fraternity and graduated with honors in
1954 with a degree in geology. During his college years,
he and his parents were delighted when Jim's brother Ron
was born. After graduation, Jim began working in West
Texas where he met the love of his life, a young school
teacher named Doris Ann Badgett. They were married at
First Christian Church in Sherman, TX in July of 1955,
and their marriage was blessed with two sons & a daughter.
Later, Jim decided to pursue a career in education, and
completed his master's degree in education at North TX
State University in Denton in 1964.
Jim and Doris then went back to West Texas to teach school.
They later moved to Ranger, TX where Jim taught physics
and chemistry and served as high school principal. In
Ranger, he served as President of the Board of Directors
of the hospital and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
of First United Methodist Church. Jim's third career began
in 1976 when he and his brother Ron purchased the family
business in Carlsbad, NM. Jim served two terms as President
of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad as well as on the Board of
Directors of the New Mexico Hotel and Motel Association
during his years back in Carlsbad. After selling the
business and retiring, Doris & Jim went on many fabulous
trips including three memorable ones with their children
and grandchildren. They later moved back to Texas and made
their home in San Marcos, where they made many treasured
friends.
Jim loved God, his family, gardening, hunting, deep-sea
fishing, fossil-hunting, and a good game of blackjack or
dominoes. Jim will be remembered for being a wonderful
husband, father, and grandfather, for his ability to fix
anything, for his keen intelligence, and the twinkle in
his blue eyes. He was a long-time member of Rotary -
and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church.
Jim is survived by his wife Doris, sons Steve Childress
(RHS-1974) and Sam Childress and daughter Jana Childress
(Clay) Collins (RHS-1981), grandchildren Carissa (Jim)
Lowe, Jessica Childress, Wes, Spencer and Elizabeth
Collins, great-granddaughters Makena and Marlei, brother
Ron (Jan), Doris' sister Mary Lou Randall (who was like
a sister to him), and nephews Jim and David Randall and
their families.
WIFE: DORIS ANN BADGETT CHILDRESS passed from earth
to heaven on Oct. 3, 2022.
Doris was born on Jan. 4, 1934, in San Angelo, TX to
Beatrice & Clyde Badgett. Doris grew up in San Angelo,
Coleman, and Sherman, TX. She graduated from Sherman
High School and then attended North Texas State College
(now UNT) in Denton, graduating with a degree in Home
Economics. Doris then received her Texas teaching
certificate & moved to west Texas to begin her teaching
career. While living there, she met the love of her
life James Childress. Doris and Jim were married at
First Christian Church in Sherman in July of 1955.
Their marriage was blessed with two sons & a daughter.
Doris and Jim lived in several places in west Texas
before moving to Ranger, TX. Doris taught first grade
in Ranger, and Jim was the high school principal. They
and their children made many lifelong friends during
their years in Ranger. They later moved to Carlsbad,
New Mexico, where they owned and operated Jim's family
business. Doris retired from teaching when they moved
to Carlsbad and was active in many clubs in Carlsbad,
including Altrusa, Assistance League, and PEO. She
made many treasured friends while living in Carlsbad
and created a beautiful & welcoming home on Riverside
Drive. After they sold their business, Doris and Jim
enjoyed many fabulous trips. Their final move was to
San Marcos, TX, where they both made many friends. They
continued to travel as long as their health allowed and
especially enjoyed the trips that included their children
and grandchildren.
Doris loved God, her family, cooking and baking, a good
game of Bridge, sweets (especially chocolate), reading,
and talking on the phone. She was a wonderful daughter,
wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend.
Doris is survived by her sons Steve and Sam, daughter
Jana (Clay) Collins; grandchildren Carissa (Jim) Lowe,
Jessica (Clark) Grubbs, Wes, Spencer, and Elizbeth
Collins; great-granddaughters Makena and Marlei and
great-grandson Caven. Doris is also survived by her
beloved sister Mary Lou Randall, brother-in-law Ron
(Jan) Childress, and nephews Jim and David Randall
and their families. Doris was preceded in death by
her husband, grandson Chase & great-grandson Maverick.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of
Brookdale North San Marcos, Eden Hill New Braunfels,
and Hope Hospice for their loving care of Doris in
her final years. In keeping with her wishes, a private
family service will be held to scatter Doris and Jim's
ashes in their beloved Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico
at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to
First United Methodist Church, 129 W. Hutchison St.,
San Marcos, Texas 78666, Hays County Food Bank, 220
Herndon St., San Marcos, Texas 78666, or Hope Hospice
611 N. Walnut Ave. New Braunfels, TX 78130.