Kenneth W. Childs

He was preceded by his wife, JoAnne Clark Hubbard Childs on November 6, 2010. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Joseph Fielding Hubbard and Genevieve Clark Hubbard on August 21, 1935. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on April 5, 1955. Kenneth is now once again with his bride for eternity. He is also preceded by his Father, Mother, son Joseph Mark Childs, and his four younger brothers, Barry Childs, Frank Childs, Robert Childs and Dallin Childs.

Kenneth is survived by 9 of his 10 children; Kathy Gilray of Rowlett, TX., Melanie Christensen of West Valley City, UT, Melissa Guthrie of Graham, WA., Cindy Adkins of Plattsburg, MI., Kenneth Childs of Cottonwood, UT, Celestia Schwab of Colleyville, TX., Daniel Childs of Tucson, AZ., Joel Childs of Salt Lake City, UT., and David Childs of Idaho Falls, ID. He has 34 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Kenneth had achieved much throughout his lifetime including but not limited to excelling in school academics, along with high school basketball, and football. He had a great love for music, and when the Korean War broke out, he hoped to be able to enlist as a Navy musician. While trying out on the Saxophone, the listening Naval Officer cut him off saying "you're in". He was proud to serve his country and proud to return home safely. Kenneth and JoAnne both attended Brigham Young University where they met. Here he received his Bachelors in Science in June of 1956. He also attended University of Utah where he received his Doctorate in English on June 3, 1972. His dissertation “The Orphic Style” was published that same year.

Kenneth taught English and Humanities at the University of Utah, Emery Riddle University in Florida, and Brigham Young University, where he also worked for the government in their Science and Technology Department.

He was a powerful influence and well respected teacher, holding many positions in the LDS Church. He loved to teach, play music, and read, read, read, especially literature regarding the gospel and eternal families. He was self-taught in languages such as German, French, Hebrew, and Latin, writing several books and manuscripts in these languages for above Universities.

Although he had a love for learning and teaching, his biggest work was that of Genealogy. He was a firm believer of this work and felt it was his calling to do all he could while on this earth. He would often tell his children that “the work he was doing here was nothing compared to what he had to do on the other side”. He stressed that once he has passed, the work on the other side is what he will be doing, and that he wants all to focus and remember this work more than anything.

Dr. Kenneth W. Childs was a wonderful husband, father and friend. The following is a small collection of thoughts and memories from his children regarding him and JoAnne, their mother:

“What stands out about dad for me is the value he put on an education. Not just a degree but knowledge of as much as we can get. The power of knowledge always makes a full circle right back to God. Also service. Dad always said, ‘Until you have truly learned to serve, you will never be truly happy’. With mom, it was all about love. I don't think there was anyone she didn't love. She was such a gentle lady. She always put others needs way above her own. Constantly sacrificing and never complaining. When she passed away many people off the streets came to pay their respects. She had affected their lives somehow for good. I always think to myself that if I could be a fraction of what she was, I would have a very good chance of getting to the Celestial Kingdom”

“Dad loved fishing, and Mom loved car rides. Every Saturday we would go on that car ride Mom loved so well to see Grandma and Grandpa Hubbard, or we would go to Duck Creek, where Dad fished. Mom would sing, we would fish sometimes, and eat the best ever cheese sandwiches on homemade bread. Those Saturday dinners were Mom’s finest rainbow trout!”

“Dad was very empathetic. He was a great listener. He loved children. I was always impressed how dad valued and respected womanhood. Dad told me over and over again that the best way to love a woman is to respect her. Dad enjoyed reading about church history and the scriptures. He had a great desire for the Hebrew and Greek language. He often would read the scriptures in Hebrew. Dad was truly a great spiritual man whom loved God. Mom and Dad used to sit and talk to each other. It was a great time for both of them. Mom had the most beautiful angelic voice which unfortunately I did not hear near enough of. Mom was very feminine and full of smiles. I was impressed how mom was so honest. She made the best cinnamon rolls ever. Mom and Dad were both kind and loving and all his children are born of Goodly parents”.

“My Parents were truly saints. They gave unconditional love to everyone. It did not matter if you were their child or a stranger on the street. They taught us about everlasting love. They taught me the gospel and what it means to me. They were never judgmental and quick to forgive”.

“Thank you dad for all the tools you have provided me with to survive”.

“Dad was the most powerful man I have ever met. He had a very quirky sense of humor and loved practical jokes and puns. He adored my Mother and showed us how women should be treated. Even though I was number 7 of 10 children, he and mom both found time to make me feel special. He was always concerned about the fact that I have not yet been sealed to my husband and would call periodically to remind me of what a great man God had chosen for me and that I needed to "seal the deal" He loved to fly fish and I will always remember him in his waders”.

“Such a smart man; His brain was on 24/7. More than once he would wear mismatching shoes and when I pointed it out he would look down and say "well, I sure am" then go back to whatever more important task or thought at hand. He loved our mother dearly. Theirs is a love story for the books. A partnership, a love and a team”.

Dr. Kenneth W. Childs, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend will be missed, and now has been called back to Heavenly Father….until we meet again….

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Taylorsville 43rd Ward Church, 3020 West 4700 South, West Valley City, Utah. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park, 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah.