Howard B. Childress

On February 13, 2020, Howard B. Childress, also known to the community of Coleman as “Coach”, went home to be with the Lord.  The family will host a visitation on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.  A celebration and reflection of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2020 at the Coleman High School Gymnasium with Bob Martin from Elm Street Church of Christ, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery.  Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home in Coleman.

Howard was born on October 30, 1930, in Coleman, Texas. He attended and graduated from Humphrey High School in 1950.  After completing his two years in the United States Army (1951-1953), Howard attended Prairie View A&M University from 1953 until he graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He returned to Coleman and started his teaching and coaching career at Humphrey School in 1958. While teaching and coaching at Coleman Humphrey High School, his basketball team played in the 1965 Class B State Championship game against Normangee Woodson losing 58-56. When Coach talked about that special season, he believed his team would have returned to the Class B State Championship game the following year.  Howard taught numerous subjects during his career at Humphrey School until the Coleman school district integrated in the fall of 1965.  He continued teaching and coaching until retiring in May of 1992. During the summer months, Coach stayed actively involved in the community. For 22 years he managed the Coleman City Pool.  Coach finished off his career by retiring from the United States Postal Service in July of 2016 where he worked for thirteen years.

Coach continued to give back to the community upon retiring. He served on the Coleman City Council for six years, President of the Coleman Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Coleman County Economic Development Board. He served on the Coleman Public Housing Authority, Crime Stoppers, and the City and Rural and Rides (C.A.R.R.) Boards.  Coach was honored as Citizen of the Year in March of 1992. He received the Lookup Award from the Junior Chamber of Commerce and was the recipient of the Community Building Award from the Coleman Masonic Lodge in 2000.   Howard was one of five recipients to receive the first ever Education Hall of Honor for the Coleman Independent School District in February of 2018.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents, Mikel and Minnie Childress of Coleman, Texas; his siblings, Herschel Childress of Coleman, Texas, Horace Childress of Coleman, Texas, Hubert Childress, Sr.  of Killeen, Texas, and Bennie Jewel Smith of Houston, Texas.

He leaves behind the love of his life Nina Childress of Coleman, Texas; sons Reggie Childress and wife Naomi of Tomball, Texas; Michael Childress and wife Delma of San Angelo, Rickey Payne and wife Regina of Bangs, Texas; and daughter Karen Ditto Johnson and husband Olson of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Anthony Childress and wife Maggie of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Helen Cummings of Long Beach, California and Hermia Jean Brown of Long Beach, California.

Coach also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Husband, daddy, paw paw, Uncle Red, brother, Coach, friend, we thank you for the love you gave to us, the example you set for us, and the legacy you left for us.

Pallbearers will be Michael Anthony Childress, Marcel Childress, Matthew Childress, Richard Holloway, Jr., Brandon Payne, and Hubert Childress, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Baucom, Steve Stephenson, Larry Smith, Ray Finley, Jay Gober, Wilson Jones, Tony Baker, Jr., Paul Baker, and Barbara Cox.

Condolences and remembrances can be expressed to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.