MURRAY LEE CHILDERS

Murray Lee Childers,  84, of Ponca City, Okla., formerly of Palmyra, Mo., died September 18, 2024 at the Va., Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
 Murray was born October 18, 1939 in Alton, Ill., a son of Earle M. and Helen Cummings Childers. He married Roswitha White on July 20, 1963 and later divorced. 
He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960 after High School. After college, Murray worked for Michelmann Steel Company and N.E. Power. Later he was self-employed in real estate development. During his children’s earlier years he helped with their sporting events. Murray also played fast pitch softball for the Ozark National Life team. He enjoyed playing racquetball and won the Senior Division of the Racquetball in the Missouri Show Me State Games and he won the Senior Olympics Racquetball Division several times. He raised English bulldogs and enjoyed attending dog shows. Enjoyed wine festivals, antique car shows, traveling, garage sales & flea markets. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.  He was of the Baptist Faith.
Survivors include his life partner of 31 years, Rebecca Ann Fortney of Ponca City, Okla.; Children; Monte L. Childers of Ozark, Mo., Scott (Kim) Childers of Palmyra, Mo., and Kristen Wilson of Virginia Beach, Va., Benjamin, Nathaniel, Andrew, LeeAanna, William, April Mae and Matthew Fortney; grandsons, Dallas, Dawlton, and Duncan Wilson all of Virginia Beach and Preston and Valentina Childers of Jefferson City, Mo.; one brother, Greg (Kathy) Childers of St. Louis, Mo., and several nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 27, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in LaGrange with Rev. Mark Carpenter officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, September 27, 2024 from 10 am until time of service at the Davis Funeral Home in LaGrange. Pallbearers:  Dallas, Dawlton, and Duncan Wilson, Preston Childers, Matthew Fortney, Eric Childers, Michael Maas, Kevin Johnson.
Music: Dancing with the Angels and My Way.
Burial with military honors will be in Dover Cemetery near La Grange, Mo.  
The family suggests memorials be made to Blessing Foundation in care of Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, La Grange, MO  63448.
Online condolences may be left at www.davis-fh.com