Walter Dabney (Dee) Childress III

2/15/1943-5/10/2025

He was a basketball star, playing for Pompano Beach High School, Chipola Junior College, and Birmingham-Southern College.  He competed in two National Basketball Tournaments in Hutchinson, Kansas.

He held a bachelor's degree from Birmingham-Southern College and a master's degree from The University of Montevallo.

He was a high school teacher and coach, and mentor to many, teaching martial arts at The Cyndy Platt Boys and Girls Club in Brevard, North Carolina for 6 years.  He volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem in Transylvania County, North Carolina.

He earned black belts in American Karate and Modern Arnis, being awarded the latter by Grandmaster Remy Presas himself.

He advised hundreds of families as a Guardian Life Insurance Agent and Financial Advisor for over 40 years, frequently recognized as a leader in his field.

He was a devoted husband for 55 years to Patricia Clark (Pat) Childress.

He was a devoted father, father-in-law, and grandfather to Cameron Wyatt Childress, his wife Katherine Leon Childress, and their children Olivia Rose Childress and Adrian Wyatt Childress, of Atlanta, Georgia.

He was a devoted brother, brother-in-law, uncle. and great uncle to Judi Childress Cohen, her husband Brad Cohen, their son Jordan Cohen, and his children Sean, Vivian, Ari and Ali.

He was a devoted father, father-in-law, and grandfather to Nora Lynn Holmes, her husband Brandon Holmes, and their son Logan Roy Holmes, of Brevard, North Carolina.

All are invited to remember and honor him at a memorial service on June 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Brevard, North Carolina.

Memorial gifts may be made to Sharing House, 164 Duckworth Avenue, Brevard, North Carolina 28712.