Garland Childers

Garland Watson Childers, 73, of Midland, TX, passed away on April 16, 2025 in Midland.

Visitation will be from 6-8pm on Monday, April 21st, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, April 22nd, at Crestview Baptist Church in Midland, TX, with John O’Dell officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Garland was born on June 4, 1951 to G.W. and Winnie Lou Childers in Sweetwater, TX. Garland was raised in Odessa, TX where he graduated from Permian High School in 1969. Garland played football as part of the mighty MOJO Permian Panthers. He received a football scholarship to Texas A&M University, but later transferred to East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma where he played football and was named Most Valuable Athlete in 1974. Garland graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. He married Marsha Owens Childres on March 19, 1974 in Odessa, TX. Garland and Marsha recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Garland taught and coached at Hood Jr. High in Odessa, TX. In 1979 he went to work for Nalco Chemical Company in Snyder, TX. He was promoted to District Manager in 1983 and transferred to Midland, TX where he worked until his retirement in 2016. Garland had many friend and a great sense of humor. He loved pulling pranks on many of his coworkers and college football buddies.

Garland is preceded in death by his parents and his three brothers, Don, Ron, and Gaylon Childers.

He is survived by his wife Marsha, daughter Chelsi Ann Childers, son Weston Cole Childers and wife Kristi Gee Childers and two granddaughters, Cecilia Kay and Sadie Marie Childers all of Midland, TX. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Doug Owens and wife Kay of St. Mary’s, Kansas and Sister-in-law, Maxine Howard and husband Ronnie of Hector, Arkansas and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He always considered fellow members of East Central State football team as his brothers and some will be serving as his pallbearers. They are Tom Darter, Bobby Morehead, Rick Bachman, Hank Walbrick, Wayne Wheat, Joe Bill Caskey, John O’Dell, Fred Wilson, and Craig Wiseman.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family also wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Garland.