Wayne Ralph Childs' Obituary
Wayne Ralph Childs was born in Jamestown, NY, on December 8, 1934, the fifth child and only son of Francis and Edith Blodget Childs. He attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Casadaga High School. He loved basketball but excelled in track, with his practice being the 2-mile run each morning and night between home and school.
After graduation, Wayne was drafted into the Army, the 4th Armored Division. He spent his time training other trainers in tank operations. While at Ft. Hood, he met Joyce Provenzo, and they were married on December 29, 1955. After his discharge from the military, they moved to Arizona in 1961, where he became a Webb pressman at Ganet TNI (Tucson newspapers). He retired in 2001.
After moving to Arizona, he attended college, receiving a bachelor’s degree and felt the calling to become a minister. He became an ordained pastor for the Assembly of God. Over the years, Wayne also presented marriage seminars and became a counselor.
Wayne and Joyce were the parents of five children: Brenda (John Gorman), Steven (Lisa Kammerich), Russell (Sandra Arrington), Helen (Tom Dempewolf), and Kathleen (Kyle Dixon).
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, his four sisters, son Russell, and granddaughter Laura Childs. In 2013, he lost his beloved wife Joyce after 59 years of marriage.
They were blessed with 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, Wayne married May Roberts of Mesa, AZ.
He passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on August 3, 2024.
What’s your fondest memory of Wayne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wayne?
Share a story where Wayne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wayne you’ll never forget.
How did Wayne make you smile?
