James Thomas Childress

James Thomas Childress, lovingly known as Tom, passed away on July 21, 2026, at the age of 89. Born on January 28, 1937, in Handley, Texas, he was the son of James Wesley Childress and Muriel Lee Tate and was raised in Corsicana, Texas.

At the age of eight, Tom faced and overcame the challenge of polio—an early testament to the resilience, mental toughness, and fortitude that would define his life. That experience helped shape the strength of character he carried throughout his years, allowing him to face life’s challenges with determination, perseverance, and grace. He went on to attend Texas A&M University, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Animal Husbandry.

While growing up in Corsicana, Tom met the love of his life, Winona Fay Gorman. They were high school sweethearts whose love endured a lifetime. Together, they built a remarkable life, sharing 63 years of marriage until Winona’s passing on February 6, 2025. Their partnership was one of enduring love, commitment, and shared joy.

Tom built a successful career as a food broker specializing in meat sales, working with companies such as Swift Packing in Fort Worth, Neuhoff Brothers Packing in Dallas, and Midland Foods in Addison. Known for his strong relationships, integrity, and business acumen, he sold to suppliers and retailers across the United States and expanded his work into Mexico. Fluent in Spanish—a skill he developed in college—Tom not only used it professionally but also passed along his love of the language to his son, Tim.

He and Winona made their home in Arlington, Texas, where they lived for more than 30 years before retiring in 1998. During those years, Tom became deeply involved in the Arlington community, including coaching baseball for the Arlington Optimist Club boys baseball program for many years. In June 1976, Tom proudly led the Cubs to the Southwest League Championship, a memorable achievement that reflected not only the team’s hard work and dedication, but also Tom’s patience, encouragement, and commitment to helping young athletes grow both on and off the field.

They later built their dream retirement home near Lake Whitney, where they spent over 26 years enjoying the peaceful beauty of the outdoors and the life they had built together.

Tom found great joy in golfing, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He was always tinkering with projects—rarely sitting still for long—earning him the affectionate nickname “Tinkering Tom” from his kids. Tom also had a unique passion for collecting barbed wire. Over many years, he collected and traded hundreds of samples with fellow collectors, carefully displaying each piece on boards and proudly creating labels to identify and document each one. In his later years, he discovered a passion for painting, creating numerous works of art that he generously shared with family, friends, and, as he would say, “anyone who would take them.”

One of Tom’s most meaningful recent highlights was attending Texas A&M’s Ring Ceremony, where he had the honor of presenting his grandson, Joseph Miles Childress, with his Aggie Ring in the weeks leading up to Miles’ graduation in May 2026. It was a deeply special moment for Tom and his family—one that reflected generations of shared Aggie pride, tradition, and connection to Texas A&M. All who witnessed it were touched by the significance of that occasion.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Winona Fay Childress, and his brother, Gerald Edward “Bboy” Childress.

He is survived by his sons, John Michael Childress and his wife Christina of Colleyville, Texas, and James Timothy Childress of Arlington, Texas; his grandchildren, Payton Faye Childress of Bozeman, Montana, and Joseph Miles Childress of Colleyville, Texas; and his siblings, Virginia Rosemary Childress of Fort Worth, Texas, Ann Maria Childress of Alvarado, Texas, Jay Wesley Childress and his wife Clara of Ardmore, Oklahoma, and Jeffrey Hayes Childress and his wife Kari of Newark, Texas.

The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Tom’s primary caregivers, Felicia, Miller, and Edith, who lovingly cared for him over the final two years of his life. Their compassion, kindness, and devoted support provided comfort, companionship, and dignity throughout that journey, and their dedication meant so much to Tom and his family.

Tom will be remembered for his perseverance, his warmth, his love of family, and his quiet generosity. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the family he cherished, and the simple joys he embraced so fully.

A Rosary will begin at 10:00 am Friday, July 31, 2026, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at St. Andrew Catholic Church,  3312 Dryden Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76109.

A Graveside Service and burial will follow at 2:00 pm Friday, July 31, 2026, at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 2300–2310 W. Second Avenue, Corsicana, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Scottish Rite for Children, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children through specialized medical care, research, and education.