JERROLD HENRY CHILDRESS, SR

Jerrold H. Childress Sr., age 74 of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on April 30, 2024, at Advent Health Center. He was born December 11, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, to James and Mary Childress.

He graduated from Cregier Vocational High School in 1967 and majored in Architecture. He began his career with B&O Railroad in 1968, breaking barriers as the First Black Machinist in Chicago, Illinois. He dedicated over 30 years to the railroad, as a proud and active member of the IAM Local 27 Union, ending his career with Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas City, Kansas.

Deeply committed to his community, Jerrold served as the President of the Neighborhood Association of Delaware Ridge. He was a certified Kansas City Kansas Neighborhood Crime Prevention Patrol agent, overseeing the Delaware Ridge and Delaware Highland Neighborhood watch groups. Jerrold served on the Kansas City Kansas Urban Design and Planning Committee. He founded the Railroad Retiree Spouses Assistance Group (RR-SAG) non-profit organization. Jerrold volunteered with the Red Cross, earning the Eunice Shirley Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 2010 and the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year award in 2017.

Preceded in death by his parents James Childress Sr., Mary Childress, and siblings, Robert (Bobby) Childress, James (Bunky) Childress Jr., and Sherron Cleveland. He is survived by his wife, Priscilla Childress Kansas City, Kansas, and four children, Bettina Matthews (Jeffrey Sr.) Kansas City, Missouri, Jerrold Childress Jr. (Paula) Kansas City, Missouri, Deba Briscoe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Khalilah Smith Kansas City, Missouri, along with seven grandchildren, Ayesha Matthews, Jeffrey Matthews Jr., Tyrell Childress, Simone Smith, Jordan Smith, Nicole Childress, and Xavier Smith. He also leaves behind an ex-wife Dorothy Childress, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be from 9 AM to 11 AM, Friday, May 10, 2024, with services to follow at 11 AM at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2945 Bales Ave, Kansas City, Missouri 64128. Jerrold's final resting place will be in Chicago, Illinois.

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