Charles Lawson Childers

Charles Lawson Childers, 93, of Estancia, NM passed away at his home on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Charles was born in Quincy, IL on July 28, 1916 to William and Marie (Henhoff) Childers. He had lived in Estancia for the past 40 years having previously lived in Albuquerque where he attended Albuquerque High School. Charles married Gilberte Henriette Ghislena Rivir on January 20, 1947 in Croydon, PA. He was a retired farmer. Charles was a life member of VFW and of the Blind Veterans. He was awarded the Presidential Citation - his group was the first American “TEC/R” outfit to perform “Airspionage” in the European Theater, led by Colonel George Peck, Detroit, MI and widely known as “Pecks Bad Boys”. The group completed 5,000 successful combat missions. Charles is survived by his wife, Gilberte Henriette Ghislena Childers of Estancia, NM; son, Charles Lawson Childers Jr. of Albuquerque, NM, daughters Elizabeth Rudd of Bloomfield NM and Suzanne Montoya of Estancia NM, grandchildren, William Russell Barton II of Riverton, WY and Brett Alan Barton of Estancia, NM. He was preceded in death by his father William Childers, mother Marie Childers, brother William Childers, sister Mildred Childers Ellison, and his sister Marie Louise Brown. Burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 3:00PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Veterans Administration.