Thomas "Jeff" Childress Jr.

Thomas Jefferson Childress, Jr., “Jeff”, 56, of the Kansas City Northland, passed peacefully on August 18, 2023, surrounded by family. 

Jeff was born August 13, 1967, in Memphis, TN, the eldest of two children of Thomas “T.J.” and Mary (Marshall) Childress.  His father T.J. and mother-in-law, Lynda Halteman preceded him in death.  He moved to Kansas City following his career in Information Technology 30 years ago.  For the past 18 years, he worked for the University of Kansas Health System alongside a team he loved. He enjoyed his job every single day. Jeff was united in marriage to the love of his life, Vickie, on April 30, 1999 in Maui, Hawaii. 

To say that Jeff lived life to the fullest is an understatement. He had a big, bold personality, was kind, caring, funny, and had the ability to make everyone feel comfortable in his presence. You just couldn’t help but have a good time when Jeff was around. He was known for his loud laughter, also referred to as his ‘cackle’ which will be greatly missed. Family was the most important thing to Jeff, and he was affectionately known as ‘Uncle Stinky’ to all his nieces and nephews. 

Jeff loved the Kansas City Chiefs and Alabama football (ROLL TIDE)! He and Vickie loved throwing big tailgates every Sunday and inviting everyone to join them. His other love was being at the Lake of the Ozarks. He loved to fish and then threw big fish fries with friends and neighbors. Countless friends and memories were made at the lake that will be cherished forever. He was always the life of the party.   

Jeff started playing sports at a young age which led him to his passion for coaching. Coach Bama as he was known, coached the Clay-Platte Sluggers baseball team for nine years and he loved those boys like his own. He then started coaching girls' volleyball with Club North and coached them for nine years. He loved mentoring and supporting these kids.   

Jeff leaves his wife of 24 years, Vickie; mother, Mary Childress; sister, Dawn McGee (Brian); father-in-law, Ken Halteman; sister-in-law, Becky Abts (Bryan); nieces and nephews, Britany Starkey (Bryant), Shelby Abts, Jenna Halteman, Dalton McGee, and Dakota McGee; great nieces, Brynton and Braelynn Starkey; godsons, Preston Cross (Cambre) and Jackson Ellis; bonus nieces and nephews, Tanner, Elaina, Lydia, Gui, Landon, Taylor, Jake, Jordyn, Cecilia, and Freya; as well as other family members and countless friends. 

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by a service celebrating Jeff’s life at 11:00 am, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty, MO. A celebration will follow the service and details will be shared by the family.  

The family would like to thank his amazing care teams, including KU ICU and Select Specialty. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to a charity of your choice. 

You may share a message with Jeff’s family or sign an online guest book via www.parklawnfunerals.com.  Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781-8228.