James F. CHILDERS

NEWPORT NEWS - A valiant soldier, beloved husband, father and grandfather, Sergeant First Class (Retired), James Franklin Childers, 82, departed this life on Sept. 1, 2010.
He was born in Opelika, Ala., on Valentine's Day 1928. James passed away peacefully at Riverside Hospital after a four month battle with pneumonia and its complications.
James moved to Newport News in the late 1960s to raise his family. During his Army career James served in Korea and Vietnam (three tours in each). He ate bananas and drank water until he reached the minimum weight required and enlisted in the Army when he was under age. At the conclusion of WW2 he helped dismantle Hitler's bunker, the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany. There he recovered a scrapbook compiled by the Nazi leader himself.
The highlight of James' military career was his introduction to Tae Ok Im, his beloved and devoted wife of 47 years, in Seoul, Korea. During his career he became a demolition expert, deep sea diver, executed 486 parachute jumps and taught hand to hand combat. He was frequently promoted, and won many awards and metals, including three purple hearts and a bronze star. He held a third degree black belt in martial arts. He was a proud member of the Purple Heart Club.
James is survived by his three children, daughter, Susan Childers North and her husband, Christopher Colt North of Williamsburg, son, Robin of Newport News, and son, Michael of Williamsburg; along with six grandchildren, Jimmy (a marine Sergeant), Spencer, Miles, Sarah, Nolan (named for his great-grandfather); and his fishing buddy, Colt. He is also survived by his brother, Johnny of Atlanta, Ga.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nolan and Vesta of Opelika, Ala.; and his brothers, Coot and Hugh.
James retired from the Army in 1972 after 26 years of honorable and courageous service. During his civilian career he was offered a job by 20th Century Fox as a stunt man and demolition expert. He performed stunts in a number of westerns, and when he was working on a movie with Gene Autry, Mr. Autry gave James a gun that he had used on screen. James loved to watch westerns and laughed when a jet stream appeared in the sky of a movie set in the 1800s. After he turned down Hollywood, he joined Anheuser Busch where initially he served as the personal body guard for Mr. Busch, Sr. He mingled with Mr. Busch's friends, including one of his favorites, actress Lindsay Wagner. He retired from Anheuser Busch after 17 years in 1989 to spend more time with his family. He worked 43 years overall an average of six days a week at one or more jobs at a time to provide for his family.
"Papa" as his grandchildren called him, had a quick wit and was a devoted Republican. James was especially proud that his son, Mike, followed him into the military (Marine Gunnery Sergeant-Retired); that his son, Robin, followed him to Anheuser Busch to make his career as a brewer; that his daughter, Susan, obtained three degrees (a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion, a Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University, and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Richmond) and maintains a national law practice and manages the Williamsburg office of LeClairRyan; and that his wife is a Deacon of the Open Door Korean Church in Newport News.
We take comfort in the time when sickness and "death will be no more." Rev. 21:4.
James was a man's man who experienced events in his life that most men can only imagine. He will always be admired for his hard work, his straight talk and his devotion to his family. He will be greatly missed and remembered always by his family and friends.
A viewing will be held at Weymouth Funeral Home, 12746 Nettles Drive, Newport News, Va., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. The funeral will be held at Weymouth Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 4, 2010. Interment to follow in Peninsula Memorial Park with full military honors.
It is the family's wish that in lieu of flowers, friends donate to the USO (www.uso.org/donate) in honor of James Franklin Childers.
The family will receive friends after the interment on Saturday afternoon at the home of Robin Childers, 348 Walt Whitman, Newport News (Port Warwick). View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.