Harry M. Childs, Sr. died peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. He was 83.

Mr. Childs was born in Vicksburg, MS on February 26, 1938 and was a graduate of J. H. Culkin Academy in 1956 where he was a decorated French Horn player. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He served as a Specialist for the 103 ^rd Military Police Detachment, Ft. Hood, Texas and was honorably discharged in 1963. Mr. Childs was a 4 ^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church. He was a Journeyman Millwright who participated in the ground up construction of innumerable projects not the least of which included construction of the I-20 Mississippi River Bridge and Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station. He also traveled throughout the United States to participate in various outages. Mr. Childs enjoyed woodworking as a hobby and crafted many useful pieces for the household. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Mr. Childs loved being in or around the water, whether on a beach somewhere or camping on a sandbar by the Mississippi River. He was an accomplished motorcyclist who, along with his brother and sister, arranged and participated in many races and events. Most of all he adored his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Morrison Childs, Jr. and Lillie Mae Glidewell Childs, and brothers, William M. Childs, III and Frank M. Childs, Sr.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pauline G. Childs; sister, Betty Brent (John); sons, Harry M. Childs, Jr. (Shannon), Michael J. Naya (Jeffery), Paul A. Naya (Elizabeth); daughters, Julie E. Perkins (Kamala), Lillie A. Jordan, Maria C. Merry (Shawn), Nena C. Jaramillo (Mike); grandchildren, Bradley J. Perkins, Michael T. Presson, Jr., Joshua W. Presson, Sr. (Julia), Matthew N. Merry, Jacob L. B. Merry, Philip C. Merry, Madeline G. Merry, Harry K. Childs, Jessica L. Childs, Ashlyn E. Naya, Katelyn E. Naya, Gavin C. Jaramillo, Kylie M. Jaramillo; and great grandchildren, Ashlyn McPherson, Mary E. Presson, and Joshua W. Presson, Jr.

Visitation will be at 9 AM, Wednesday, December 15 at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue in Vicksburg, MS followed by a Requiem Mass at 11 AM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 713 Crawford Street in Vicksburg. Pallbearers will be Shawn Merry, Matthew Merry, Jacob Merry, Philip Merry, Joshua Presson, and Harry K. Childs.

Honorary pallbearers are John Brent, Michael Presson, Jessica Childs, Madeline Merry, Dr. Russell Barnes, and Dr. Bridget Diane Jones.

A special thank you goes to Mr. Childs' caregivers: Tammy Hatchett, Donna Jones, April Kelly, Tashiba Hatchett, Veronica Mayfield Mitchell, Elmira Taylor and Kenishia Smith who loved and cared for him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Parkinson Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd, Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 or a charity of your choice.