Robert Grant Childers

Robert Grant Childers passed out of this life on Wednesday, February 17th on Georgia’s Gold Coast. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1947, to Edwin J. and Vautres J. Childers. Robert’s family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was a teenager. He attended California State College at Long Beach, before being drafted and serving in Vietnam. He was a Purple Heart Veteran. Robert moved to Oregon after returning from the war. He loved nature, and worked planting trees while getting his Master’s in English Literature at the University of Oregon. After graduating, Robert took a job with the Defense Department in Personnel. He met his wife Carolyn in Columbus, Georgia when he was working at Fort Benning. Robert also loved the ocean and sailing. He built a twenty-one-foot catamaran, and sailed it down the Chattahoochee River to the Gulf of Mexico. Robert was always ready for a new adventure. He and Carolyn traveled the world together, and lived in many places. His favorites were Italy, Portugal, and of course Key West. He married Carolyn there, and that is where their son Orion was born. He was an avid reader and enjoyed all kinds of music. His favorite band was The Grateful Dead.

Robert took care of his family, and was loyal to those he loved. He always saw the good in people and trusted that there was hope in humanity. He was kind, and believed that change for the better is always possible. Robert is survived by his wife Carolyn, his son Orion, and his brother Brian.

As his family, we miss Robert terribly and it’s hard to know how to move forward without him. His last words to each of us were, "I love you.” We are taking comfort in that, and in our memories. We are so lucky that he chose to share his life with us.

Instead of flowers, we are asking that donations be given to The Arbor Day Foundation at https://shop.arborday.org/campaign/reforestation-donation/give , or The World Wildlife Fund at https://www.worldwildlife.org/?_ga=2.181117543.1585986465.1614629493-1013245665.1614629493