Troy Lee Childers

Troy Lee Childers 1938 - 2011 Troy Lee Childers, born on June 22, 1938, in Arvin, California to Julia Belle Gipson Childers and John Thomas Childers, Sr., passed away November 22, 2011, from heart complications. Troy grew up a child of the Dust Bowl in the Lamont area, where he established many life-long friends. Upon graduating from Arvin High School in 1956, he became an owner/operator of The Fireball Service Station. In 1964, Troy expanded the business to include Troy's Towing, which he owned and operated until 1983. At age 46, Troy went back to school as a student at Bakersfield College. He graduated with honors in 1985 and was accepted to The Channel Island School of Law the following year. Troy received his Juris Doctorate Degree and passed the bar exam in 1990, and was off and running in his second career as an attorney. Troy loved the challenges and responsibilities associated with being an attorney and had great admiration for all in the legal profession. Troy was always proud to be a resident of Kern County and was very active in many social and service clubs. He was a long time member of the Kern County Sheriff's Reserves as well as a past president of the Oildale Lions Club and the Bakersfield Classic Thunderbird Club. Troy's love of automobiles led him to race stock cars for many years and he sponsored many drivers who went on to have great success in various divisions of stock car racing. Troy was a proud member of the California Bar Association, and his love of the law lead him to act as legal advisor to the Mock Trial Club at North High School for many years. Troy's gift of the gab made it easy for people to talk with him, which he enjoyed. Troy had a strong work ethic that served him well throughout his life, something that he and his brothers and sisters inherited from their parents. Troy Childers was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Jr., James and David, and sisters, Maxine, Jennie and Bettie. He is survived by the true love of his life, Allene, his wife of 42 years; daughter Pam and husband Mark Neal, daughter Stephanie and husband Brian Stewart, and daughter Kelley and husband Matt Lee; brother Bob Childers and sisters Nadine Harris and Ruth Danley; and ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Greenlawn Memorial Chapel, 3700 River Blvd. Services will be held at the same location on Friday, December 2, 2011, at 2:00 pm. www.bakersfield.com/obits