Frank W. Childers

died peacefully in his sleep at his Bainbridge Island home on Sept 27 at age 96. He was known as a gentleman; well-mannered, friendly, gracious and generous, all traits surely rooted in his southern upbringing and supported by continuing traces of a southern accent. These qualities along with a well ingrained sense of humor, that he enjoyed sharing, helped mold his reputation as a cherished and respected manager of people throughout his working years. Although conservative by nature he exhibited a remarkable capacity to grow and adapt his attitudes in a changing world throughout his lifetime.Frank was born and reared in Greenville, SC. His fondest memories were of the many summers spent with his neighborhood chums at the local YMCA camp in the foothills of the Blueridge Mtns. He captained the Furman Univ. swim team, graduating in 1935 before embarking on a long career with SH Kress, "the five and dime store". At the outset of WWII Frank enrolled in OCS and was stationed with the 8th Army Air Force Headquarters in High Wycombe, NW of London where he successfully courted Red Cross volunteer Helen Eicher from Seattle. They married in England on Nov 15, 1945.After the war Frank and Helen lived in Atlanta where sons Frank Jr and Stuart were born. After experiencing Britain's cooler climate Frank jumped at the opportunity to transfer with Kress to the Pacific NW, moving his family to Aberdeen in 1950 where their youngest son Gary was born. Despite the long hours of retail, he always made time for good summer family vacations highlighted by four cross country trips by automobile in the late 50's and early 60's to visit his family in SC. In 1968 after all three sons had moved on to the UW, Frank finally accepted the job to manage the Kress store in downtown Seattle at 3rd and Pike. Frank and Helen moved to Bainbridge Island the following year. In 1970 Frank retired from Kress and at age 58 fulfilled a desire to own his own store by purchasing the Bainbridge Dept Store renaming it Childers which provided apparel to generation of island families until selling the business in 1986.After years of working in retail he said that retirement was so wonderful he really should've considered it earlier. He was one of the first wave of islanders to install a pickle ball court in their backyard which received plenty of use over the years. Frank and Helen reconnected with old friends in England and enjoyed almost daily walks on Bainbridge and on Kauai where for years they spent several months each winter.Frank was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 2008, his son Gary in 1995, his granddaughter Anne and his sister Catherine and brother Prince. He will be remembered lovingly by his sons, Frank (Mary Terry) and Stuart (Wendy) of Bainbridge; grandchildren Brant (Michele) of Simi Valley, CA, Cole (Stacey) of Norfolk, VA, Katy of Seattle and Claire of Brooklyn, NY; and four great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Care Solutions for their extraordinary support and in particular caregivers Steve Myers, Mark Drasbek, Suzanna Lewis and Allison Hunter.A memorial service commemorating Frank's life will be held at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church at 3pm on Saturday Oct 17 preceded by a private burial service on Bainbridge Island. In light of being a frequent beneficiary of their quality care, Frank's family urges a yes vote on BIFD's upcoming EMS levy.