OCEANSIDE -- James E. Childs was born on 4 July 1923 at Wisner, Nebraska. His parents, Richard and Martha Childs, later moved to the Tilden area where he attended Grade School at District 34 and graduated from Tildon High School, Class of 1941. He joined the Marine Corps on 10 June 1941 and served on active duty until he retired on 31 August 1966. During WWII, he served with the 2nd Parachute BN of the 2nd Marine Division in the south Pacific War Zone and with the Occupation forces in Japan. His other duty Stations included New Zealand, New Caledonia, Korea, Okinawa, Hawaii, Virginia, Nebraska, and California. He was in the Food Service Branch, Retiring as a Food Service Technician with a Master Sergeant (E-8) rating. He was living in Oceanside, CA at the time of his retirement from the Marine Corps, and worked as a civilian Firefighter at Camp Pendleton for 7 years, from 1967 to 1974 . Recently he had been working part time as a Security Officer for the State of California. He and Lois Jean (Street) were married in Norfolk, Nebraska in 1944 and after several service related moves, have lived in Oceanside since 1955. Lois Jean was employed as a civilian for the Navy for over 30 years, Retiring in 1981 as Civilian Personnel Officer at the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, CA. James had been active in the Masonic Lodge and Lois Jean in the Eastern Star, and have enjoyed traveling with their Silver Streak Trailer with the Masonic International Recreation Vehicle Club with "Jim" having held State & National Offices. Jim was loved by everyone, especially children, and was affectionately known as "Uncle Jim". He held membership in several organizations including the Scottish Rite, Al Bahr Shrine, Oceanside-San Dieguito Lodge #381 F & AM, Poinsettia Chapter #287 Order of Eastern Star and the 1st Christian Church of Oceanside. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Martha Childs; brothers Lyle, Richard and Ralph; and his sister, Audrey. Visitation will be Friday, January 9 from 3-6PM at Oceanside Mortuary. Funeral Service is to 2 PM Saturday, January 10, 2009 at the First Christian Church of Oceanside. Interment is scheduled at 10:30 on Monday, January 12 at Eternal Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to: First Christian Church of Oceanside, 204 S. Freeman St., Oceanside, CA 92054 Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com