Robert “Bob” Childress, 94, of Chattanooga, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army Pacific Command under the leadership of General Douglas McArthur.
Bob was a graduate of the University of Tennessee Department of Agriculture with a BS in Dairy Production and later earned a MS in Agriculture Extension Education.
His career in Agriculture spanned 38 years. Bob was a milk inspector for the Hamilton County Health Department, an Agricultural Chemist/Auditor with the USDA and Extension Agent with the University of Tennessee Department of Agriculture until he retired as an Associate District Supervisor.
Bob said, “I have been wonderfully blessed to have worked in Agriculture, a vocation that I have enjoyed. Farm families are wonderful people to work with. I can not remember a single day that I did not enjoy going to work.”
He was the recipient of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Distinguished Service Award, and inducted into the Hamilton County Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Upon his retirement, he served as Minister of Visitation at First Christian Church and after his service there, was a faithful member of Red Bank United Methodist Church.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Evelyn Stuart; his second wife, Mary Nelle Thrash; brother, Bill; sister, Gertrude; and parents, Robert A. and Bessie Pipkin Childress.
He is survived by his two daughters, Pam (David) Forrest, and Becky (Mike) Kirk; three grandchildren, Matthew (Ashley) Forrest, Ben (Jami) Kirk, and Jessica (Tanner) Linz; three great-grandchildren, Sarah Carden, Bowen Michael, and Addie Parson; and niece, Ann Childress.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m. at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, with Reverend Ken Sauer officiating. Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 6, from 4-7 p.m. at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Red Bank United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com