Obituary of Alvin Arthur Childs

Mr. Alvin A. "Al" Childs, age 89, of Ozark, died September 17, 2009 at his home. Funeral services will be 2:00 P. M. Sunday, September 20, 2009, in the Asbury United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Rick Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Mr. Child's body will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 P. M. until 6:00 P. M. Saturday afternoon. Mr. Childs was born May 30, 1920 in Cranston, Rhode Island to the late Ruby L. and Robert E. Childs. Prior to volunteering for the Army's Ski Troops, 10th Mountain Division in Camp Hale, Colorado, Al was one of the top three pitchers in Rhode Island and was selected to pitch to Babe Ruth on September 3, 1941. He married his devoted and loving wife Louise Skipper on April 15, 1945 while stationed at Camp Rucker, and was discharged from the Army in 1946. In January 1947, Mr. Childs was employed by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations, serving as Manager of the Enterprise and Ozark State Employment Offices, and as Counselor for the Dothan office. From 1954 until 1976 he was Manager of Personnel and Labor Relations for Spartan, Aeronca, Page, and Northrop Aircraft Corporations at Fort Rucker. In 1974, he served as a member of a special task team for Northrop in Tehran, Iran. Mr. Childs served as Chief Executive Assistant to Governor George C. Wallace, which included Liaison with The Alabama National Guard, Alabama State Troopers, Emergency Management Agency, University of Alabama Medical Units, and the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. He was responsible for getting the Saturn V Rocket moved from the Space Center in Huntsville to the Ardmore Rest Area on I-65 North near the Tennessee line, and was referred to as "Al's Rocket" by friends and family. In 1978 Mr. Childs was appointed Honorary Mayor of Gulf Shores and Grand Marshal of their Annual Shrimp Festival. He retired from Troy State University in September 1987. In 1988 he served as Campaign Manager for Supreme Court Justice, Henry B. Steagall II. Mr. Childs was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church for over 50 years, a member of Masonic Clinton Lodge No. 287 in Skipperville and Shriner Alcazar Temple in Montgomery for over 40 years, member of the Disabled American Veterans of World War II, and a member of the Governor's and President's Committees for the Handicapped. He visited the White House annually for 15 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Louise Skipper Childs, two brothers, Myron Childs and Gene Childs, one sister, Abbie Childs McCarthy, and his brother-in-law, Cullen Skipper a former Sheriff of Dale County. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Elaine and Steve Riggins of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Cindy and Doug Garrison of Ozark; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert B. and Evelyn Childs of Cranston, Rhode Island; three grandsons, Chris Riggins of Cincinnati, Ohio, Weston Deloney and Aaron Garrison of Ozark; two granddaughters, Courtney Riggins of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and Kate Quinn Riggins of Cincinnati, Ohio; two great grandchildren, Colin and Liam Riggins. A host of nieces, nephews, and friends also survive. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 2536 County Road 33, Ozark, Alabama 36360. Service Information