Fred N. Childress

Fred N. Childress, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was born and raised in, and proud to say he was from, South Knoxville.

Fred graduated from Young High School, class of 1953. He attended Maryville College before enlisting in the army for a two year tour from 1954-1956. Upon his return, Fred enrolled at Carson Newman College with GI Bill assistance, where he graduated with a B.S. in Education. Later he earned his Master’s and EDS degrees from Tennessee Tech University, attending classes at night while teaching during the day.

Known as “Mr. Childress” by many South Knoxvillians, Fred made a lasting impact on hundreds of students during his 31 year teaching career: 15 years at his alma mater, Young High School, where he taught English and Industrial Arts; and 16 years at South Jr. High School and South Doyle Middle School.

In younger years, Fred loved to fish with his family and friends, casting his line in just about every lake and stream in the surrounding area. If he wasn’t fishing, he and some of his teaching buddies spent weekends cutting up fallen trees for firewood and wood-working projects. Fred was an accomplished carpenter, building his own homes, and he was the ultimate handyman.

After retiring, Fred and his wife, Judy, took up ballroom dancing, and enjoyed cruising to many places around the world, often with friends and family. As a lover of all things sports related, Fred rarely missed an opportunity to attend any sporting event in which his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated. He especially loved spending time at Salt Marsh Cove in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, welcoming his many friends and neighbors there to sit and visit on his front porch.

Fred was preceded in death by: parents, Delmas and Pauline Thomas Childress; son, Creed Delmas Childress; brother, John S. Childress; sister, Marilyn Scruggs Kennedy; son-in-law, Rusty Clouse; brothers-in-law, Paul “Buddy” Scruggs, Lawrence Kennedy, and Jeff Harris; and nephew, Greg Harris.

He is survived by: his wife, Judy; three daughters, Teri Guyer and her husband Chris, Lori Rudder and her husband Mickey, and Angela Clouse; grandchildren, Alicia (Clouse) Kuka and her husband Jon, Colby Childress, Seth Rudder and his fiance Hailey Finholdt, and Zoie Jo Rudder; great-grandchildren, Leah Kuka and Andrew Kuka; sisters, Connie McColloch and her husband Robert, and Martha Harris; brother-in-law, James Reed; and a host of nieces and nephews whom he treasured.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice, and Dr. Passarello and his staff, for their kind and compassionate service.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 2-4 PM at Berry’s Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville,TN 37920.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gentiva Hospice at 9729 Cogdill Rd, Bldg IV, Suite 301, Knoxville, TN 37932, or through their website.

Family and friends are invited to share fond memories and sign Fred's online guestbook at www.berryfuneralhome.com