Donnie Childress

Donnie Dee Childress was born to Roy Dee Oran and Edith Mae (Hilgenfeld) Childress on December 5, 1939 in Gray County, TX. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister-in-law, Patsy Childress, and sister and husband, Elaine and Jack Denney. He is survived by his loving wife of 41+ years, Rebecca Childress; daughter and son-in-law, Sherrie and Steve Adams; son, Whitney Childress and fiance, Susan Finby; and son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Daphne Childress. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and his three sisters, Barbara Dunn, Jackie and husband Mike Higgins, Betty Whisenant and one brother, LeeRoy Childress, and countless nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Donnie graduated Sperry High School in 1958 and remained an avid Pirates fan his entire life. He attended both the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University and received an Associate's Degree in Heavy Mechanical Engineering. He worked in and around the oil and refinery industry until his retirement later in life. Donnie loved guns and hunting. He is a lifelong member of the NRA and of The American Legion Post #308 in Tulsa, OK where he and Becky would regularly attend the Friday night dances. He was a patriot and loved his country. Some of his many interests include bowling in his younger years with his wife; attending church services at their Lutheran church in Shreveport, LA; collecting guns; building models of military aircraft; reading hunting magazines and anything about the military, with his favorite being the American Civil War; working puzzles and he always enjoyed watching cooking shows such as Justin Wilson's Saturday morning show on PBS with his favorite phrase being, "I GARONTEE." Donnie fought a long and hard battle with Diabetes finally succumbing to this disease Sunday, April 22nd at 12:05 pm. He will be missed by all who loved him. On behalf of his family, they would like to thank Green Country Hospice, Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, his MANY doctors of whom Drs. RJ and Dina Azadi were among his favorites; and the nurses and staff at St. Francis who cared for him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Porta Caeli House; the Youth NRA; or the American Diabetic Association in his name. One of Donnie's favorite passages was the 23rd Psalm. Below is from a translation read to him in his final days after which he smiled: The LORD is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have enough. He offers a resting place for me in His luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brooks of bliss. That's where He restores and revives my life. He opens before me pathways to God's pleasure and leads me along in His footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to His name. Lord, even when Your path takes me through the valley of the deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for You already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and peace. The comfort of Your love takes away my fear. I'll never be lonely, for You are near. You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with fragrance of Your Holy Spirit; You give me all I can drink of You until my heart overflows. So why would I fear the future? For Your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I'll return to Your glorious presence to be forever with you. (The Passion Translation) Graveside service will be 10:30am, Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at the South Bethel Cemetery, Braggs, Oklahoma.

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Donnie Childress

December 5, 1939 - April 22, 2018