Jimmy "Chick" Childress

Jimmy "Chick" Childress

Jimmy "Chick" Childress, one of the most successful high school football coaches in state history and a 2001 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee, passed away Sunday at the age of 83 in his hometown of Ruston after a brief illness.

His services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at Alabama Presbyterian Church in Choudrant, LA. Officiating the services will be Dr. Allison Moody and Rev. David O'Neal. Interment will follow at Sibley Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston.

Childress led Ruston High School, his alma mater, to a 131-27 (.829) record and four state championships in 1982, 1986, 1988 and 1990 to highlight his 12 seasons as the Bearcats' head coach. He also helped coach Monroe's Neville High to four state titles and won his first state crown as a player at Ruston in 1947. From 1958-1973, Coach Childress taught/coached at Neville High School and in 1973 at Carroll High School, from 1974-1976 at Northeast Louisiana University , 1976-1978 Cedar Creek Of Ruston and from 1979-1991 at Ruston High School. He received his under graduate degree at Northeast Louisiana State College and his Masters Degree and Plus 30 from Louisiana Tech University.

His 1990 team, 15-0, was his last. The Bearcats finished ranked No. 1 nationally following a 52-10 win in the state championship game. The 52 points remains a state class 4A state finals record.

He was a five-time state Class 4A Coach of the Year when 4A was the largest classification in Louisiana.

Childress was in the ULM Hall of Fame and the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame.

Childress, an orphan who grew up at the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home in Ruston. He is survived by his wife, Christine O'Neal Childress; daughter and son-in-law: Cynthia Alline Childress and husband Phillip Bohrer of Baton Rouge Louisiana; son: and daughter-in -law: Daniel Lloyd and wife Maribel Tuten Childress of Bella Vista, Arkansas; grandchildren: Joseph Daniel Bohrer of New Orleans, Louisiana and Kevin O'Neil Bohrer of Denver, Colorado, Marybelle Christine, Daniel Christian, Jonathan Alexander, Aaron Joseph Childress, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; brother-in-law: Rev. William Daniel O'Neal and wife Dorothy of Longview Texas and nephews: Rev. David O'Neal and wife Jan of Tyler Texas; and Dr. Donald O'Neal and wife Laurie also of Longview Texas.

He is preceded in death by his infant daughter: Katherine Bernice Childress and mother: Edith Childress Cobb.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Bohrer, Kevin Bohrer, Christian Childress, Billy Pee, Bill Cox, Wayne Parker, Doyle Holstead and Greg Williams.

Honorary Pallbearers will be all former players, coaches, associates, and former teammates of Ruston High school and Northern Louisiana University.

Visitation will be held Tuesday July 14, 2015 from 5-7 PM at the Jimmy "Chick" Childress Field House.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Ruston, LA