Doug Childress

Doug Childress,90, passed away on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Idabel. He was born on September 23, 1931 in Clarksville, TX, the son of Oscar and Mary Shelby Childress. Doug married Zona Marie Moore on September 21, 1950. They raised three children and shared 43 wonderful years together until her death in 1993.

Doug and Zona purchased their first Piggly Wiggly Store and moved to Idabel in 1954. Over the next 31 years they acquired 3 more stores as well as 2 Jiffy Mart's. They thoroughly enjoyed operating the stores. Over the years they employed young men and women from all walks of life. Doug prided himself on training the young people to be good citizens as well as teaching them the grocery business. Many of the employees and customers  became lifelong friends. Doug never asked anyone to do a job he wasn't willing to do himself, whether it was sacking groceries, putting up displays or unloading the big trucks. His dedication and loyalty to his employees and customers made the stores very successful.

Later Doug owned and operated a cattle ranch. Les Jenkins did much of the work on the ranch and he was more friend than worker. Bryar Jenkins was Les's son and he became like a grandson to Doug.

Doug enjoyed quail hunting, fishing and attending the horse races in Hot Springs, AR. He also worked on the chain gang for the Idabel Warriors home football games. Doug was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church and served on many committees down through the years. He loved his church family dearly.

Doug was an Idabel Icon. He was kind and very successful but never forgot where he came from. Always doing everything possible to help the less fortunate to become successful. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Zona Childress; a brother, Wesley Childress and his wife, Jackie.

Doug is survived by his wife, Martha Childress of Arlington, TX; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Darla Childress of Clarksville, TX; daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Ken Moore of Idabel, OK and Jane and Manny Avila of Clarksville, TX; grandchildren, Deanna Dennis and Derek, Jamie Bray, James Moore and Sarah, David Childress and Jess and Tasha Carr; a brother, Ben Childress of Arlington, TX; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; special sister-in-law, Joan Hines and husband, Doug of Idabel, OK; special family friend, Loran Duckett; several nieces, nephews other relatives and many lifelong friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Idabel, OK. Interment will follow at the Denison Cemetery with Dr. Andy Bowman officiating.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.whitefamilyfh.com.

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