John Philip Childs III

John (Jack) Philip Childs III, a beloved husband and father, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, March 11, surrounded by his cherished family and friends. He was 80 years old.
Jack was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Margaret (Northup) and John P. Childs II. During World War II, Jack's parents took him to Georgia, where his father was stationed at Fort Benning to train soldiers before their deployment. The Childs family then relocated to Athens, Pennsylvania, where Jack spent the rest of his childhood. It was in Athens that he formed lifelong friendships, some of whom were present at his passing. The stories from that era are legendary!
Athens High School was where Jack excelled as a three-sport "lettered" athlete, competing in football, wrestling and track and field. His athletic achievements were recognized when he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. After high school, Jack continued his athletic pursuits at East Stroudsburg University, where he continued to play all three sports and made a name for himself. He was also inducted into ESU's Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1966, Jack graduated from ESU with a Bachelor of Science degree. That same year, Jack met his future wife, Anne at a function at Keystone Junior College. Anne's college roommate eventually became her sister-in-law because they married brothers! Jack and Anne tied the knot in June of 1970.
Jack's passion for physical education led him to pursue his Master of Science in PE from SUNY Cortland (Cortland State) in 1972. With a background in successful sports coaching and his Master's, Jack was hired as the Head Wrestling Coach at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Steven's Trade) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Additionally, he served as an assistant coach in Football and Track and Field at the school. Drexel University then called upon him to be their Head Wrestling Coach and Jack answered! The move to the Philadelphia area was a life-changing experience, but he brought his unwavering enthusiasm and determination to make the Drexel Dragons a formidable force.
Jack served as the Head Coach of Drexel Wrestling for an impressive 35 years, amassing 421 wins. At the time of his retirement, he held the remarkable distinction of being the active Division 1 leader in career coaching wins. Throughout his professional life, Jack's unwavering dedication to his athletes and their holistic growth, both on and off the mat, was a hallmark of his coaching philosophy. Jack's coaching career was studded with numerous accolades. In his 1976-77 season, his first at Drexel, Jack finished second to Iowa's legendary coach Dan Gable in Amateur Wrestling News Rookie Coach of the Year balloting. Jack was a four-time recipient of the East Coast Wrestling Association's Coach of the Year award, was named Colonial Athletic Association's Co-Coach of the Year award and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Drexel Athletics Hall of Fame. He also served as the president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association and held a position on the NWCA Executive Board for several years. Additionally, he worked for the NCAA at the Wrestling National Championships and served on the Board of the Eastern Collegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA).
Throughout his life, Jack resided in Wayne, Pennsylvania, with his family. He dedicated himself to his wife and children. He coached youth sports. He supported his wife and her career as a teacher. Jack actively participated in the Men's Club at Wayne Methodist Church, supporting various family events and the annual flower fundraising sale. He was also a member of the Radnor Scholarship Fund, volunteering at the annual Fourth of July fireworks fundraiser at Radnor.
As an educator, Jack had his summers off, which he used to work at various wrestling camps during the early years of his coaching career. However, when Anne suggested that they all take a break from the sport of wrestling, Jack found Camp Norway in Post Mills, Vermont where he served as camp director for 11 delightful summers. The family came with, and Anne worked in the office and their children were campers. The experience forged lifelong bonds and created a unique and amazing camp family. After Camp Norway, Jack returned to the Main Line area in Pennsylvania and continued his role as a camp director at Julian Krinsky Camps & Programs for several years.
Throughout his life, Jack's unwavering dedication to his family was evident. His wife and children accompanied him to as many home and away wrestling matches as they could. His children even went to university with their father - as they all attended and graduated from Drexel University. Jack's sons, Jesse and Michael both wrestled for their father and his daughter, Beth, played tennis at Drexel.
In his retirement, Jack and Anne embarked on many national and international travel adventures. He also volunteered at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and was on the Alumni Board of ESU. However, Jack's true passion lay in spending quality time with his seven grandchildren and attending their various sports and activities. Pop Pop adored his grandchildren dearly.
Jack is survived by his wife of almost 55 years Anne; son, Jesse (Jessica), son, Michael (Natalie), daughter, Beth (Gregg) Cummings; siblings David, Margaret "Honey", Suzanne and Eric; and grandchildren William (17), Gabrielle (16), Amanda (14), Cora (9), Cooper (8), Jane (7) and Logan (6). He was predeceased by his siblings Gary and Craig. Visitation 10-11 am, service 11 am Thursday, April 3 at Wayne Methodist Church, Wayne, Pennsylvania (210 S Wayne Avenue).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Drexel University Wrestling, Drexel University, PO Box 8215 Philadelphia, PA 19101-9684 or online at https://giving.drexel.edu/CoachChilds or Wayne Methodist Food Pantry, 201 S Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087.