Tommy Lee Childress

Tommy Lee Childress, age 88, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026 in Santa Clara, Utah. He was born Joseph Anthony Gentile on February 5, 1938 in Los Angeles California to first generation Italian immigrants. Joseph was “adopted” by Lee and Ella Childress who had placed an ad in a local newspaper wishing to adopt a baby girl. When notified Joesph was under county care awaiting adoption, Lee and Ella arranged a meeting, however his birth mother failed to arrive and sign the adoption papers. Nonetheless, Lee and Ella took their new son home and named him Tommy.

A few years later the family bought an 80-acre ranch near Westmorland, California with no telephone, a long walk to the school bus stop and the nearest neighbor five miles away. Tommy adapted to his new world, learning to hunt, swimming in irrigation canals and exploring the desert outdoors. Ranch life included new skills such as tending the irrigation water, harvesting honey from his collection of hives, and picking oranges from their small orchard. Tommy excelled as a high school track athlete winning many ribbons, often with Lee there to cheer his son along. On Tommy’s 16th birthday, Lee and Ella formally adopted him at the Westmorland courthouse.

Growing up in the heat of the Imperial Valley, Tommy first met Sonya Kissee at the city pool and soon became childhood sweethearts. Tommy and Sonya were married November 9, 1957 in Westmorland and spent their honeymoon at the brand-new Disneyland theme park. In 1958 Tommy began his 42-year career with the California Division of Highways for the princely sum of $300 per month. Their first home was in a date palm grove in Oasis where coyotes serenaded them nightly. Soon, promotions took his family to San Diego, Garden Grove, Lompoc, and San Luis Obispo where they settled for 32 years.

Tommy was well liked as a supervisor with a firm but fair leadership style. He took personal interest in his employees, often encouraging them to better themselves by completing their education, applying for promotions, or becoming sober. Management would sometimes send “problem” employees to his work crews or assign new training tasks knowing he would find a solution. The last 15 years of his career were spent overseeing the operation of the scenic and renown California Highway 1 from Morro Bay through Big Sur to Monterey.

In San Luis Obispo, Tom and Sonya learned to square dance and spent many nights and weekends dancing around the state making new friends. Tommy enjoyed gardening and his tomatoes earned multiple blue ribbons at the county fair. Tommy’s parents camped for many years in the California Eastern High Sierra mountains to escape the hot Imperial Valley summers. After visiting their camp, he decided to introduce his family to majesty of the Eastern Sierras. For the next 25 years that became a yearly Fall tradition. A week in the mountain cabin was always looked forward to with dreams of catching the “big one” and relaxing in the cool mountain air.

After Tommy’s retirement, they moved to St. George Utah in 2002 and became involved with church activities, made many friends, and enjoyed exploring the beauty of Southern Utah. Tommy loved to watch and play golf. Though not the longest hitter, his tee shots were consistently straight. It was a rare sight to see Tommy’s ball off the fairway.

Tommy’s faith was always important to him, especially during his retirement years as a member of the Westside Baptist Church. After Sonya’s passing in 2022, Tommy never missed an opportunity to tell his story and witness to whoever would listen. With his calm and friendly demeanor, strangers quickly felt at ease and many new friends were made. Tommy had an innate sense when someone felt troubled and would lend an ear or offer to pray for them. Many strangers benefited from his compassion and willingness to listen.

Tommy is survived by his youngest son Mark (Barbara) of Palmetto, Georgia, sisters-in-laws Olivia (Tom) Roscamp of Huntsville, Texas and Linda (Richard) Jones of Wildomar, California along with their families. In St. George, the Steffan family was very important in his life and brought much joy to him watching their children grow up.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents Lee and Ella Childress, wife of 65 years Sonya, and oldest son Gary.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the care team at Snow Canyon Retirement Community and the nurses of Dixie Hospice for the care, comfort and compassion shown to Tommy. We are forever grateful for making a difference in his life.

A memorial service will be held at Westside Baptist Church, 2299 W 2000 N, St. George, Utah 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026.