John Wister Childress Jr. was born to John Childress Sr. and Althea Perry February 5, 1932 in Phoenix, Illinois. John attended public schools in the area, graduating from high school in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 during the height of the Korean War honorably discharged in 1954. After a stint at De Paul University in Chicago and a variety of jobs and a brief marriage, John relocated to Los Angeles, CA in the mid 60’s. There he joined his step-father who had just started his own maintenance business specializing in medical buildings. During this time John joined Baldwin Hills Baptist Church becoming a deacon and an active member of it’s outreach programs in Los Angeles and Mexico. Also a member of the church was his soon to be wife Jeanette. They were married at the church and remained so joined until her death in 2006. Incredibly generous, John loved the Lord, his family, friends, the staff at John Pettis VA, karaoke, jazz, cards, good food, bingo and spreading THE GOOD NEWS.
He is survived by his step-daughter Julia Kimura of San Diego, CA - brother Jack Allen of Santa Maria, CA - cousin Ron Childress of Michigan, cousin Helen Martin
University Park, Ill neices Kim Whitted, San Antonio, TX- Karen Clay Chicago, Ill - Kyla Jones, Belgium - Kellie Ortiz Chicago, Ill Kamala Norfleet Chicago, Ill and a host of great nephews and neices. The family request in lieu of flowers please donate to https://www.stopitnow.org and https://fjm.org
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