September 3, 2021, 61, Dudley –

Michael Richard Childers, age 61, passed away Friday at UNC-Chapel Hill Medical Center under the watch of his wife and two sons. Mike was born February 15, 1960, to Ray and Wanda Childers in Springfield, OH.

Proud of his military service, Mike began his military career in March 1985 as an crew chief on the F-111 fighter jets. His career too him to other countries around the World. He took part in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort. He and his family were stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in 2001 where he would spend the remainder of his time in service as a crew chief for F-15 fighter jets. After retirement, Mike followed his passion for technology into the IT field as an IT Technician for Copypro.

Mike was a devout Christian, always willing to exercise his talents to help those in need. He was a seasoned song leader at Oak Forest Church of Christ as well as a committed deacon. On Sundays and Wednesday’s you could often find him in the projector booth at church assisting with the audio/visual elements of the worship service.

Those who met him knew that he was a mountain of a man (6’6″, size 17 shoe, 300+ pounds) and that he was quiet unless he was singing. His family would like you to know that he also was a born tinkerer, a tech whiz, a former DJ, a talented artist, a novelty radio collector, an accomplished home cook, a lifelong DEVO fan, and an excellent father. In his last couple years he had also taken to composing haiku, some of which you can read on Instagram at @mikewritesahaiku.

Mike was endlessly loving and supportive to his family and sacrificed much of his time and money to ensure his sons had the foundations for successful lives. While his last couple months of life were difficult, his family is grateful for the time they were allowed to spend with him in his final moments. The upcoming days will be filled with sorting through the remnants of his life on earth, recreating Mike in fragments and memories.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Ray Childers.

He is survived by his mother, Wanda Jean Childers; wife, Patti Childers; sisters Bonnie and Sheila; and sons Connor and Sam.

The funeral service in celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Oak Forest Church of Christ on Saturday Sept 11, 2021 at 1:00 pm with a visitation to follow. Graveside services will be a private service at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery on Sept 13, 2021.

The family requests all in attendance for the service to please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in the memory of Mike to Oak Forest Church of Christ (2705 N Park Dr., Goldsboro, NC 27534) or to the Alzheimer’s Association

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Childers family.