James Wesley Childress passed from earth to heaven on June 27, 2017. Jim was born on October 9, 1931 in Texico, New Mexico to Olga and Wesley 'Slick' Childress. Olga died in 1935, and Slick later married Jewell Derrick, who became Jim's mother. Her family also welcomed him as their own, and he spent many treasured childhood days with his cousins and Grandad Derrick at the family ranch in Tatum, NM. Jim and his parents moved to Carlsbad, NM when he was in the first grade. He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1950 where he excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron. Jim then made the long trip by train to New Orleans, LA to attend Tulane University. He was a proud member of ATO fraternity and graduated with honors in 1954 with a degree in geology. During his college years, he and his parents were delighted when Jim's brother Ron was born. After graduation, Jim began working in west Texas where he met the love of his life, a young school teacher named Doris Ann Badgett. They were married at First Christian Church in Sherman, TX on July 9, 1955, and their marriage was blessed with two sons and a daughter. Later, Jim decided to pursue a career in education, and completed his master's degree in education at North TX State University in Denton in 1964. Jim and Doris then went back to west Texas to teach school. They later moved to Ranger, TX where Jim taught physics and chemistry and served as high school principal. In Ranger, he served as President of the Board of Directors of the hospital and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of First United Methodist Church. Jim's third career began in 1976 when he and his brother Ron purchased the family business in Carlsbad, NM. Jim served two terms as President of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad as well as on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Hotel and Motel Association during his years back in Carlsbad. After selling the business and retiring, Doris and Jim went on many fabulous trips including three memorable ones with their children and grandchildren. They later moved back to Texas and made their home in San Marcos, where they made many treasured friends. Jim loved God, his family, gardening, hunting, deep-sea fishing, fossil-hunting, and a good game of blackjack or dominoes. Jim will be remembered for being a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, for his ability to fix anything, for his keen intelligence, and the twinkle in his blue eyes. He was a long-time member of Rotary International and a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Jim is survived by his wife Doris, sons Steve and Sam and daughter Jana (Clay) Collins, grandchildren Carissa (Jim) Lowe, Jessica Childress, Wes, Spencer and Elizabeth Collins, great granddaughters Makena and Marlei, brother Ron (Jan), Doris' sister Mary Lou Randall (who was like a sister to him), and nephews Jim and David Randall and their families. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff and volunteers of Eden Hill Communities and Hope Hospice who cared for Jim with love and compassion during his final years. A private family service will be held to honor Jim's wishes that his ashes be scattered in his beloved Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church 129 W. Hutchison St. San Marcos, TX 78666 or Hope Hospice 611 N. Walnut Ave. New Braunfels, TX 78130.