JACK CHILDS
William Jack Childs, 79, passed away on Sunday April 8, 2018. Jack was a resident of Colorado Springs for 45 years, and spent most of those years as a real estate broker.
Jack was born April 21, 1938 to Joel Childs and Virginia (Cochran) Childs in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Catonsville High School in 1956, and from there joined the Marine Corps. He went to boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and won the distinguished honor of becoming PFC at graduation in January 1957 – an honor designated to only one marine from each platoon. When the Marine Corps decided to end the officer program, Jack was wise enough to look toward other branches of service. The Army offered permanent officer status and a college education, so he left his beloved Marines and joined the Army in Ft. Huachuca, AZ. After completing college, he was sent to Colorado Springs, where he retired as a Major. Jack loved the military and was an outstanding enlisted man and officer, serving in Vietnam, Korea, as well as here at home. He was highly decorated, being awarded the Marine Good Conduct Medal 1st through 3rd Awards; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm; US Navy Unit Citation; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Army Commendation Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster. His last assignment was at NORAD and Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Once retired, Jack began his real estate career where he found his second passion in life working in both resale real estate and new home sales. In 2000 he began his own successful company, Childs Properties LLC, retiring in 2015.
Jack loved to vacation with his wife, family and friends. He also loved the Broncos, all sports, his dogs, the beauty of the Colorado mountains, to the beaches and shores he traveled. He felt especially blessed to be in the home he and Jan built together, and the treasured time he got to spend with loving friends, family, and co-workers.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Jan; Earlene Kidd (Jack) mother of their three children; his daughter Viki Childs (Mike Kreseski), son Mike (Bridgette), and daughter Kathy Cremeans (Scott); his brother Bob Childs (Dee); his grandchildren: Nicki Arseniega (Bobby), Amie Lauber (Todd), Danny Childs, and Brian Childs; and four great-grandchildren: Zoe Arseniega, Taylor, Haley, and Emma Lauber. He was preceded in death by his parents Joel and Virginia Childs.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. in Colorado Springs; Pastor (and nephew) Jared Sonnenberg officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jack’s name may be made to the Pikes Peak Humane Society (info@hsppr.org).