Dr. Harold Childs entered life on this earth on September 14, 1942. He was born to Mercy Childs and Mary Faison and was one of four siblings. He attended grades K-12 in the public schools of Jacksonville, FL and attended Stanton Senior High School.
Harold pursued his post secondary education at Edward Waters College where he earned a bachelors and masters degree in the area of sociology. Upon finishing his collegiate studies, Harold entered the military service as a United States Army Infantry man. During the course of his 2.6 years of service, he earned medals as a M1 Rifle Sharpshooter, M1Rifle Marksman, and a M14 Rifle Sharpshooter.
After being honorably discharged, Harold was employed in several jobs in Jacksonville including Director of a Methadone Drug Assistance Program. Ultimately, he found the one that satisfied him most – Director of the Jacksonville Parent Child Center. This was a federally/locally funded program that provided a range of comprehensive services for young children and their parents. He took great pride to ensure that this was one of the best projects nationally and it was recognized as such.
Harold was invited, applied for and was awarded a fellowship in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s doctoral program in secondary education. There he served as a graduate assistant to the Dean of the Secondary Education Department- Dr. Ward Sybouts. He was a secondary education major with a focus in sociology. Upon the awarding of his doctorate degree, Harold became an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. In addition, he served as an employee/consultant of the Dallas Independent School District as a teacher and administrator at all grade levels. He retired from DISD in 2004.
Amongst his hobbies, Harold loved fishing (fresh water and salt water), taking on the odds of casino slot machines, caring for his tropical fish, and bid whist card playing. He became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. after pledging the Dallas alumni chapter in 1982. He served also as a faithful member of the graduate chapter in the Dallas/Plano area.
Harold dated and married his one true love - Catherine Pitman (Cathy), and together, they reared two wonderful, successful sons – Kevin Thomas and Dr. Konata Childs. He was preceded I death by his beautiful wife –Cathy Childs, his parents – Mary Faison and Mercy Childs, a stepfather – Leotis Scriven, his beloved sisters Thelma and Mary Alice as well as his nephew Darryl.
Harold is survived by his loving sons Kevin Thomas and Dr. Konata Childs in the Dallas, Texas area, a sister – Betty Lois in Jacksonville, FL, nieces Jacqueline, Jannese, Jeanne, Jewel, Kimberly, nephew Stanley, and a host of fraternity brothers, neighbors, colleagues, and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation honoring Harold to the American Heart Association:
https://donatenow.heart.org/?s_src=NAV
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Arrangements under the direction of Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.
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