Thomas Earl Childress

Tom was born to William and Lula Childress in Jackson, TN on April 5, 1935. He was baptized as a young man at Poplar Heights Baptist Church in Jackson, TN. After graduating high school, Tom enlisted in the Air Force in April 1957. While vacationing in Miami, FL in the summer of 1959, Janet Wheeler met Air Force Sergeant Thomas Childress stationed at Homestead AFB and following a year long, long distance courtship, Tom and Janet were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carlos, MN on July 10, 1960. Tom and Janet lived for several years in Leisure City, FL near Homestead AFB where their first son, Steven Ray Childress was born in December 1963. They were then transferred to Grand Forks AFB in ND, where Ryan Paul Childress was born in August 1965. They moved to San Antonio, TX in October 1967, where Tom was stationed at Randolph AFB. In 1969, Tom served a one-year tour of duty in the Vietnam War. In April 1971, Ryan Paul died following open-heart surgery, but in June 1971 their youngest son Jason Thomas Childress was born. After transferring to Gunter AFB in Montgomery, AL in the fall of 1974, Tom retired from the Air Force in July 1977 after 20 years of military service. Tom and Janet then returned to San Antonio, TX in July 1977, where Tom worked the remainder of his career as a computer systems analyst for several companies holding military contracts with Lackland AFB. During their retirement years, Tom and Janet enjoyed spending time with their four grandchildren and traveling around the country in their RV. Tom will always be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his country and family, his strong leadership at Beitel Memorial Lutheran Church, and his faith and integrity as a Christian man.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents William and Lula Childress; his wife of 65 years Janet Childress; brothers and sisters, Burl Childress, Nola Jones, Mildred Roe, Mary Nell Turner, Clarence “Buster” Childress, James “Boots” Childress, Billy Childress, Arthur “Buddy” Childress, Ray Childress and Betty Rowell; sisters-in-law Joann Dauner and Judy Longfellow; son Ryan Childress; and grandson Timothy Childress.

Tom is survived by son Steven Childress; daughter-in-law Joan Childress; granddaughters Sarah and Julia Childress; son Jason Childress and daughter-in-law Cindy Childress; granddaughter Megan Childress and grandson Peyton Childress; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at the Sunset Funeral Home in San Antonio with Pastors Scott Jensen and Dale Brynestad officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX.

The family of Tom wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his devoted and kind caregivers at the Changing Seasons Assisted Living Care in Castroville, TX.