James Childers

James William “ Dub” Childers, Jr., went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 9, 2012, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Celebration services will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, with military honors. Rev. Marvin Kehl will officate at the service. The family will receive friends and family at a visitation on Tuesday evening, September 11, 2012 at Swearingen Funeral Home from 5:30- 7:30 P.M. James is survived by his loving wife, of nearly 64 years Katherine (Magnino) Childers, of the home. Dub and Katherine have four adult children, Carolyn and John Green of Seminole, Janet Yancey Childers of Seminole, Jerry and Kathy Childers of Seminole and Ken and Cherry Childers of Pasadena, Texas. Their grandchildren are Brandy and Jason Cross of Seminole, Oklahoma, Nicholas and Tezarah Upton of McAlester, Oklahoma, Christopher and Hannah Dye of Seminole, Jared and Jamie Childers of Moore, Oklahoma, Amy and Colin Wilson of Norman, Oklahoma, Scott and Mia Childers of Seminole, Oklahoma, Justin and Alana Childers of Moore, Oklahoma, Randa and Brook Boggs of Pasadena, Texas, Tyler Childers of Pasadena, Texas, Katrina Childers of Pasadena, Texas, and Whitney and Matthew Green of Moore, Oklahoma. Great grandchildren include, Haley Presley, Cadey Riddle, Blake Presley, Dylan Cross, Sterling and Lainey Carswell, Samuel Green, Mylan and Zarah Childers, Aysnn, Aydnn, and Avery Boggs, Dallas and Logan Dye, and Desmond Childers. He is also survived by two brothers; Vernon and Joe David, and Sisters Joyce Kelley, Deloris Prewett, Deannie Issacs, and Pat Bowden; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law A.J. and Lola Magnino, Pete and Donna Magnino, and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Christina and Johnny Watson and Ester Lue and Jerry Bryant; He is also survived by many cousins, friends and other family members. James was preceded in death by his father, James Childers, Sr., September of 1975 and his mother Effie Epperson Childers in September of 1985; also by his brothers Earl and Ranzy Childers, his sisters, Bessie Limke, Elsie McClanahan, and Dorothy Wall as well as two infant siblings. James was born on December 5, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the 6th child to be born and the first to be born in a hospital. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Tecumseh, Oklahoma where he grew up, and another six children were added to the family. There were 14 children, 12 of which survived infancy. On October 9, 1948 he married Katherine Elizabeth Magnino, and they lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where Dub worked for the city of Oklahoma City, and later moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma. In Shawnee he worked for his brother at Haney’s Gas Station. In March of 1952, James joined the United States Marine Corp. and soon after was stationed in California. He was an MP and guarded nuclear submarines as well as prisoners. James received an honorable discharge on March 19, 1954 with the rank of PFC. He received the rifleman sharpshooter award and the National Defense Service Medal. Dub began working for Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG &E) in Shawnee in August of 1954. In 1959 they moved to Seminole where they have made their home ever since. Dub retired from OG & E on October 1, 1987. Dub always loved to fish, but after retirement he found more free time to enjoy his favorite past time. Several times a week he and his fishing buddies would head off to local lakes to enjoy a day of fishing and fellowship. James played several instruments by ear including the guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica. He enjoyed “ picking and grinning” for friends and grandkids. James is a member of the First Baptist Church in Seminole where he has served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher to adults and young boy’s, Department Director of Adult Sunday School Classes, served on several committees, and always willing to help out on projects that were ongoing at the church. He enjoyed playing his guitar and harmonica with other musicians in the church. He was always ready to volunteer to help others in need, whether it was transportation to a doctor, or helping with a repair project at home or church. James enjoyed volunteering at the Interfaith Social Ministries in Seminole. It was said he enjoyed unloading the trucks and telling jokes. Memorial donations in James’ name may be made to the Interfaith Social Ministries at P.O. Box 1602, Seminole, Oklahoma 74818. Honorary bearers will be David Forson, D.C. Neal, Randy Neal, Herman Ritchie, Kenneth Mendenhall, Don Brooks, Bob Webster, Gus Shi, Leon Short, Dale Wallace, James Coates and R.B. Badgett. His grandsons will be casket bearers.   Funeral Information: September 12, 2012, 2:00 PM First Baptist Church of Seminole located at 420 Reid Street, Seminole, OK 74868