Charles Childers, Jr.

Obituary: Charles Childers, Jr. age 79, of Kannapolis died Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Bill Hefner VA Hospice House, Salisbury, after an extended illness from COPD and Diabetes. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, May 17 at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel with Rev. Vic Dobner officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:00 - 2:00 PM Monday at Whitley's Funeral Home. Charles was born November 14, 1930 in Cabarrus Co. to the late Mary Lucy Childers Allen. He was educated in Cabarrus Co. Schools, graduating from Hartsell High School in Concord in 1949. Charles left Concord temporarily to pursue a distinguished career in the US Air Force. He served 21 years with Air Force Strategic Command during the height of the Cold War including the Korean Conflict, Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Stationed in several southern states, Alaska and Hawaii, he was an indispensible part of the national defense of the United States of America. Following retirement in 1971, Tech. Sergeant Childers and his family returned to Concord where he began a second career with the US Postal Service as a mail carrier. Prior to his retirement from the US Postal Service in 1992, Charlie graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with a degree in Business Admin. and in Marketing and Retailing. He then began to travel through the entire 50 states with his wife and lifelong friend, Gene Blackwelder. Charlie was a devoted and loving husband, father, papaw and friend. He had a gentle soul, invincible spirit and was a great encourager to everyone who knew him. Among his accomplishments were his championship achievements in football, basketball, golf and horseshoes. He was also a lifelong avid hunter and sportsman. In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Clayton. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Viola Carriker Childers of the family home, 3 daughters, Tammy Childers, Susan Haigler and husband, Dean and Pamela Bluto and husband, Nick; a brother Billy Clayton and wife, Barbara and a sister, Barbara Allen; and 4 grandchildren Adam, Leah, Mandy and Brittany Haigler, all of Concord. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and memorial donations may be made to the Bill Hefner VA Hospice House 1601 Brenner Ave. Salisbury NC 28144 or Better Breathers Club Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast Concord Medical Mall-Health & Fitness Institute 301 Medical Park Drive Concord NC 28025
Visitation: 12:00-2:00 P.M. Monday, May 17, 2010 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 P.M. Monday May 17, 2010 Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, North Carolina