John Childress

John Ross Childress age 77 died December 28, 2016 at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Born in Cairo, Illinois on December 18, 1939, to the late James Elmer Childress and Mary Jane Stokeley Childress. He graduated from Sikeston High School in Sikeston, Missouri in 1957 going on to study Physics at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. After graduating with a BS in Physics in 1962, John accepted a Reserve Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. In 1964 he was integrated into the Regular Army. In 1966 he married Captain Margaret McClintic at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. He served with valor during the Vietnam Conflict as a Combat Engineer rising to the rank of Major. He earned his MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla in 1969. After leaving the Military, John spent the rest of his career working as a Civil Engineer and Construction Management professional, building electric power plants in Illinois, Kentucky, and Colorado and manufacturing and storage facilities in Ohio. John completed his career at The University of Cincinnati directing the construction of some the university's most ambitious projects to include the College-Conservatory of Music, the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and the Calhoun Street Garage.
John was active in the Boy Scouts of America becoming an Eagle Scout and a member of The Order of the Arrow. He was passionate about the education of young people and volunteered to speak and mentor on numerous occasions. He was an avid sportsman enjoying fishing of all kinds and waterfowl and bird hunting. In later years, John enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren reading, teaching and telling stories.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Jean McClintic Childress of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother Joseph Childress and wife Virginia of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Sons Matthew James Childress and wife Karen of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mark Eugene Childress and wife Andrea of Cincinnati, Ohio; Grandchildren John David Childress, Ian Childress, Amanda Childress, Logan Urbaniak and Hawkins Pickard as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the SEM Villa Chapel, 201 Mound Ave, Milford, on Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 1:30PM until time of Memorial Service at 3:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to SEM Villa. Donations will be used to benefit the residents of this senior housing facility. Please send to:SEM Villa, ATTN: Julie Foley, 201 Mound Avenue, Milford, OH 45150.