Dale Erwin Childers

Dale Erwin (Papa) Childers went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Stillwater Medical Center. A viewing for Dale (Papa) Childers will be held at Palmer Marler Funeral Home on Monday, April 20th, 2009 from 11am to 2pm. Services are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.
Dale Childers was born on June 5th, 1935, in Stillwater, Oklahoma to Erwin & Geraldine (Sue Cottman)-Childers-Hoggatt. He attended a one-room country school Southwest of Stillwater, called IXL. In 1953, Childers graduated from Stillwater High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served during the Korean conflict aboard the U.S. Bushnell, as a submarine tender, stationed in Key West, Fl. Upon his honorable discharge, he came back to the Stillwater area and married Barbara Kay (Lucas) Childers on July 19th, 1957. He began his college career in 1961 and completed his degree in Diesel Engine Technology from Oklahoma State University in 1963. He worked in Oklahoma City as a mechanic for Wonder Bread and later a Fleet Supervisor. He worked for Hostess Cakes in Memphis and was later an employee of Krispy Kreme & Hostess Cake, as a route salesman. They also lived in Marietta, Georgia before returning to the Stillwater area. He retired from National Standard in Stillwater in 1979 and went to work for Charles Machine Works (Ditch Witch) in Perry as a welder for ten years. He began his employment with Career Tech and retired in July 2003.
He married Barbara Kay (Lucas) Childers on July 19th, 1957, and had 3 children, Debbie, Duane, & Kevin. They were married for 51 years.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, Eddie Hoggatt, and one son, Duane L. Childers.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara , one daughter, Debbie S. (Childers) Lomax, Ball Ground, Georgia and one son, Kevin A. Childers, Stillwater, Step-mother, Peggy Childers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Bill & Trey Lomax, both of Marietta, Georgia, Kyle & Shelby Childers, both of Stillwater.
He was a member of Sunnybrook Christian Church, an avid Oklahoma State University sports fan and loved gardening and yard work. He was a loving & wonderful husband, father, grandfather, & friend. He was loved by all and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Stillwater Pioneer Athletics in memory of Duane Lee Childers to support the Jim Harris Scholarship and may be sent to P.O. Box 351, Stillwater, OK 74076.
Condolences may be sent using our online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com