He met his future wife and love of his life, Alma Pauline Omer at Grand Canyon Lodge ~ North Rim as employees of the Utah Parks Company during the summers of 1948 - 1951, while he was working at the Grand Canyon to finance his education. One of his jobs at the Grand Canyon lodge was as a cook and to this day a good hearty breakfast is one of his favorite meals. Pauline and Andy were married June 6, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple by Apostle LeGrande Richards.
Andy was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and joined the church in 1950. He accepted many callings in the church and was always proud to accept a call to serve. Andy was very service oriented and loved his neighbors as well as serving them. He was truly one of the most Christ-like and caring men you would ever meet.
He was a remarkable, humble, charitable, kind, unassuming man who was known for his kindness, his listening ear, and his refusal to pass judgment on anyone. He would serve others by dropping off bags of french fries from Arby’s, newspapers, candy, and treats to assisted living facilities so they could have a bright spot in their day. If he didn’t have anything else to do, he would make up a binder with a sticky note attached saying “return to Andy Childs” to give to someone that he had been thinking about, humorous jokes and things he thought they would find interesting.
Andy attended the University of Houston in Houston, Texas and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Elementary Education in 1955. He taught school at Canyon Rim Elementary, Sherman Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary as a sixth grade teacher in the Granite School District.
He was an active member of the Wasatch Mountain Club for twelve years. Andy had a great love of the outdoors. He loved adventure, camping, white water rafting, hiking and backpacking in all of the National Parks his whole life. Taking along his family and wife on his excursions and leaving so many memories with his family on these adventures. In his years after the Grand Canyon he drove a Ski Bus up the Canyons, was an elementary teacher and worked at Hercules and the Third District Court. He was very involved in the Scouting Program and helped many boys to get their Eagle Scout Awards.
He had a love of reading, photography and journaling - if you were going on a trip Andy always had a binder or folder of information to help you plan! Andy loved any printed materials he could get his hands on, all newspapers, pamphlets, brochures, maps, magazines and photographs. He also really enjoyed attending car shows and airshows. Andy was not fond of social parties, electronics of any kind (cell phones, digital cameras, computers, etc). He had a thirst and desire to always be learning but not via electronics.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Randall (Jeannie), Richard (Annette) and Polly Ann (David Lanaghen). 7 grandchildren, Nathan Andrew Childs, Maggie Jean Wilcock, Brian Richard Childs, Brent Omer Childs, Scott Jason Childs, Andrew Bridger Sperry and Kimberly Lanaghen, 14 great grandchildren (and one on the way) and his sister Shirley Pippin of McAllen, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Pauline Omer Childs and his grandson Garrison Brent Childs and his sister Norma Brown.
A viewing will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, UT on November 15th from 9:00 am 9:45 am. The funeral service will occur at 10:00 am with interment immediately after at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park 3401 S Highland Dr. Millcreek, UT. The family expresses thanks to caregivers, his ministering brother Brent Moore, Scott and Shiree who have been caring neighbors and caregivers especially in Andy’s later years. Monica and Nery who have helped care for Andy for several years at home and at the Assisted Living and the staff at Beehive Assisted Living. Andy was so grateful and appreciative for his loving support group, so thank you to each of you that played a part in his life. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the national parks at https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2
