Joel Childers

Robert Joel Childers, 47, of OKC passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior on December 11, 2017. Joel was born on January 4, 1970 in OKC to Bob and Darlene Childers. He was raised in OKC and graduated from Grace Christian Academy in 1988. While at GCA, Joel excelled in academics and was on the Jr. High and High School football team, along with theatre, band-playing the trumpet and yearbook staff. Following high school, Joel attended OCCC on a full academic scholarship before landing another scholarship to The University of Oklahoma where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Joel worked in sales and several years later met the love of his life Kimberly Langston. He and Kim married in 2008 and together they raised their beautiful daughter Olivia Grace Childers. Joel was employed for several years as an insurance agent for both Farmers Insurance and AAA before his illness forced him into early retirement in late 2014.

Joel was a gifted writer. He authored several songs and many poems inspired by his unique view of the world. Two of his favorite topics to write about were his love for his wife Kimberly and his adoration for his daughter Olivia Grace. When holidays and birthdays came around, he oftentimes presented his loved ones with hand written poems written specifically for them in place of a store bought card. He also authored a biography about Billy Tubbs, the University of Oklahoma men’s basketball coach, including several interviews with Coach Tubbs and many of his former players.

To just say that Joel Childers was an avid Sooner fan would likely fail to express the depth of his love and loyalty to his alma mater. Joel didn’t just watch each and every football game; he recorded each and every game so that he could watch them again, and again, and again until he knew each play by memory. He grew up going to OU football games as a family, but shared the “sooner fever” with his father Bob Childers, one of the elements that brought them their close bond. They shared this love and watched almost every game together. He was so excited to see the Sooner’s play in the college football playoff and his sister had a plan in the works to get him to the national championship game, but he will be watching from a more joyous view.

Joel desired to one day be a football coach and even went as far as to get his Oklahoma teachers certification in case his health improved to the point that he could live out his dream. He also enjoyed supporting the Dallas Cowboys, studying and reading about the Vietnam War and WWII, and playing his guitar. Recently, Olivia began learning to play the guitar and Joel was extremely proud of her. He also enjoyed teaching her how to play catch, basketball, and how to properly cast a fishing line. He loved fishing with Olivia. Joel was a fantastic father who truly cherished and prioritized time with his wife, daughter, and family. He was a fantastic and very proud uncle to his nephew and niece. Joel was never happier than when he was surrounded by his family.

Those who knew Joel best knew that his faith was the cornerstone of his life. Raised in a Christian home, Joel began a personal relationship with the Lord at a young age. During his younger years he was an active member of the Royal Rangers and the youth group at Full Gospel Assembly in OKC. He attended countless vacation bible schools and summer camps before becoming a member of The Vineyard Christian Fellowship, where he was active in the youth group and singles group. Joel felt a calling to serve the less fortunate which led him to volunteer and lead many outreaches into the roughest parts of OKC’s Inner City. He had a profound love for God’s word and a contagious sense of joy that naturally drew others to him. He packed so much life and so many happy memories into such a short lifetime and his family finds peace in knowing that he is in the presence of the Lord whom he served so faithfully for many years.

Joel is preceded in death by his father Robert Joe Childers and grandparents Calvin and Hazel Childers and Charlie and Edna Wilson. Left behind to carry on his legacy of love and compassion are his wife Kimberly Childers and daughter Olivia Grace Childers of Moore, OK, mother Darlene Childers of Tuttle, OK, sister Rachel Allenbrand and husband Todd of Fort Worth, TX, nephew Jaden Allenbrand, niece Addison Allenbrand, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Service and a service celebrating Joel’s remarkable journey will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 2pm at Shekinah Fellowship Church, 412 SW 104th St in OKC. Public visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10-8pm on Thursday, December 14th with the family greeting friends at the funeral home from 6-8pm Thursday evening. Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.advantageokc.com