Samuel Edward Childs

Samuel Edward Childs was born July 4, 1941 in Youngstown, Ohio and died in Tampa surrounded by his family on January 17, 2026. The son of the late Walter Childs and Ruth Childs Dunbar (nee Peters), Sam moved with his family to Tampa as a young child and spent most of his life there. After graduating from Jefferson High School, a football scholarship led Sam to Florida State University, where he joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. When an injury ended his football career, Sam forfeited his scholarship so the team could have a full roster. He then transferred to the University of South Florida, where he graduated among USF’s earliest classes.

Sam began working at Aircraft Services International in high school and continued there until the end of his career, when he took an early retirement as Vice President. Sam and his wife, Sandy, spent the next decade traveling by RV across North America, including the farthest reaches of Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.

Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing, and scuba diving throughout Florida, as well as camping with family and friends. He began spearfishing in the 1950s, when Columbus Avenue still ran from West Tampa to Tampa Bay and a young teen could ride his bicycle to the Courtney Campbell bridge. When he was able to own a boat, he and his friends expanded their diving horizons to the Middle Grounds, Cay Sal Bank, and the Dry Tortugas. Sam and his peers had the unique experience of being among the first to dive many of Florida’s springs and the Gulf’s ledges and wrecks.

Sam is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sandra Childs (nee Bokas), daughters Elizabeth Drake and Debra Woithe (Robert), grandchildren Alexandra and Zachary Drake and Robert and Annabelle Woithe, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ehlers-Danlos Society.

https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/donate/

The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 11:30 A.M. to 12:45 P.M. at the Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida. The graveside service will take place at 1:00 P.M. in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.