One O'Clock John And Thelma Ruth Childs

John was born and raised in Jacksonville, Texas. He is a graduate of Texas A & M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has a Masters Degree in Personnel Administration from The George Washington University.

During his years at A & M, he was a member of the corps of cadets and a senior yell leader. Upon his graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army. Colonel Childs served over 21 years in the U.S. Army primarily as an Infantry unit commander, with two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He commanded the 1st Battalion of the 508th Airborne, 101st Airborne Division while in Viet Nam. He was a qualified paratrooper, a Ranger and received several combat decorations including the Bronze Star for Valor and the Distinguished Flying Cross. John's military career culminated at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas where he was the Professor of Military Science.

In Canyon, John served as a marketing officer for the First National Bank in Canyon for four years. He was an active member of several civic organizations including serving as President of the Canyon Chamber of Commerce. In 1978, John and his family moved to Tyler where he was senior vice president for marketing for Heritage National Bank. Beginning in 1986, he was an instructor in the School of Business and Director of Continuing Education at the University of Texas at Tyler. He recently retired as Business Officer from Jacksonville College.

Civic organizations have been a top priority of service for Childs. He has been a Rotarian for over twenty years in two separate clubs: Canyon and Tyler, Texas. John has served in various club and district offices. His home club is the Rotary Club of Tyler of which he is a past president. He has also served on the boards of the Smith County Cancer Society, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Tyler-Smith County A & M Club, East Texas Deal and Hearing Council and the Tyler Independent School District.

He is an active member of Green Acres Baptist Church. where he serves as a deacon and teaches an adult Sunday School class. He is married to Thelma Ruth Stephens of Leesville, Louisiana and they have three sons and four grandchildren.