Bonnie Lee Childers

1930 ∼ 2021

local_florist Send Flowers

Bonnie Lee Childers, 90, of Lumberton, Texas passed away on March 29,2021.

Born in Ripley, Mississippi, on November 10, 1930, he was the son of Bonnie Alford Childers and Nora Lee (Walls) Childers.

Bonnie’s family moved from Ripley, Ms to Vivian, La and finally to Orange, Texas. Where his family owned and operated the “Childers” store on Green avenue. He was the oldest of 10. He graduated from Stark High School and went to Flory Telegraph School in Houston. When Bonnie graduated, he worked for the Texas-New Orleans railroad in Echo, TX as a radio operator. He joined the US Navy 3-13-1951 and served as a Radio Operator aboard the USNAAS, USSKula Gulf Aircraft Carrier, and USS WRIGHT. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. When discharged he went to work for the Orange, Tx Post Office. In 1957 he started his career in the “Lab” at Dupont, Beaumont.

Bonnie coached Little League Football, enjoyed cooking, hunting, and offshore fishing.

He became interested in Pecan grafting and Citrus budding in 1968. He was well respected and loved in Horticulture Industry. Bonnie grafted and budded trees from Belize to Belle Chase, La, to Greeley, Co, and all over Southeast Texas. He became know as “Mr. Citrus” or the “Satsuma King” to many.

He cared greatly for his family and called them frequently.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Childers of Lumberton, TX.

Bonnie is survived by his Son William (Bill) Childers of Port Neches, his daughter and her husband Cynthia (Cyndi) and Patrick Grimes of Beaumont, His stepdaughters Debbie Greene of Pittsburg, Pa, and Sharon Greene of China Texas. Grandsons and wives Trey and Dana Hightower and Sean and Mary Grimes. 4 Great grandchildren. His loving dog FiFi.

Memorial contributions may be made to VFW Veterans Foreign Wars https://heroes.vfw.org/page/23487/donate/1?locale=en-US

Condolences

Joe Lohnes July 10, 2021

July-21. This is late but not because he isn't thought of.. or missed. I just got the link. I came to know Bonnie through our mutual love of citrus'. I met Bonnie and Jackie some years ago, visited them @ their home. Spent several days there.. touring citrus groves within 50 or 60 miles. All the growers and nurseries knew him and respected him and his vast knowledge... most insisted that we stay for "pie". He later visited me @ my home in Colo, where he gave me intense "one on one" budding/grafting training for a couple of days. He has at least two (2) Satsuma varieties named after him: BC1 and BC2. He was a true gentleman, kind and honest. I really miss our phone conversations. I suppose he's busy today... tending the citrus groves in heaven. God bless you Buddy.. I miss you!

Herman Auer May 6, 2021

Bonnie new a lot about grafting and other fruit trees. He was willing to share all that he knew. He is the person that I called when I had a question. With his passing we have lost more than any one will really know. Herman Auer GCMG

Sharon Greene April 5, 2021

Bonnie was a step father to me for over 30 years and I never heard or saw him get upset until a man mentioned he trimmed his bushes after the winter storm and Bonnie came unglued and said no you aren’t suppose to trim them yet. I just grinned because I knew how much he appreciated his plants and trees. One of my regrets is I never learned how to graft plants. He had the best grapefruits. I will truly miss him. RIP Bonnie you are missed. Sharon

Charlie Crabbe April 4, 2021

Bonnie Childers a good man to know. I worked with him at DuPont Beaumont Works. We were associates at the DuPont Beaumont Works Employees Credit Union. When it came to growing Satsumas he was the man. On Saturday KLVI Garden program they would get a question on satsuma growing the host would comment "we need to get Bonnie Childers on the line". Then there were roses, he gave me the names of my first roses. I requested roses with a nice fragrance. I got Mr. Lincoln, Double Delight and several others I cannot recall. Long live the memory of Bonnie Childers. Charlie Crabbe, April 4, 2021

Benny Rhoads April 3, 2021

I only wish I knew everything Bonnie has forgotten about grafting. He was probably the last of his kind. I will miss not being able to tour his backyard orchard and listening to the history of each tree... Benny & Lillie Rhoads

Art Armintor April 2, 2021

Worked with Bonnie at dupont bmt works for many years he was one of the nicest and caring person I have ever met he was willing to help anyone he could and fun to be around may he rest in peace

Loreli Abraham April 2, 2021

Bill and Cynthia, Our condolences on the loss of your dad, Mr. Bonnie Lee Childers. He was a most interesting and muli-talented man, much like you, Bill. You favor him, we can see the resemblance. Know you will miss him, we will keep the family in prayer during this sad time. Love, Jeff & Loreli

Carol Anderson April 1, 2021

So deeply sorry for your loss. Our neighborhood will always have so many fond memories of Bonnie. He grafted every citrus tree in our subdivision. Bonnie brought me flowers when his plants bloomed and we would share coffee. I will forever see him walking with FiFi. Sending prayers to your family.

Charlie Carr April 1, 2021

So sorry to hear the news. My dad ( Charlie Carr)worked with him at Dupont Beaumont in the lab. I remember him grafting the pecan tree we had planted so it would be paper shelled. I always thought he was a smart guy.