Vernon Childs, 94, of Lexington, Kentucky, previously from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, died on November 11, 2022. He was born July 17, 1928, in Leroy, Indiana, where his parents owned and ran a general store and post office. In 1935, they moved to Hebron, Indiana, where his parents took over his grandparents' store and he played basketball.

His senior year of high school he spent at the University of Chicago. That fall he went to Game 6 and Game 7 of the 1945 World Series with his father. It would be quite a while before he saw the Cubs in the World Series again.

He completed his college education at Indiana University in 1949, after which he taught high school in Hebron. In 1952 he served in the army in Korea. The next year he started as math teacher and assistant football coach in Crown Point, Indiana. There he met another new teacher, Evelyn Sebastian, and they were married on August 29, 1954.

Together they moved around Indiana where Vernon taught, coached baseball and basketball, became a principal, and entered graduate school. Over the course of these moves they had four children.

In 1963, they moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin for what they thought would be another short stint as the assistant superintendent. However, the family stayed. Vernon became superintendent in 1972. He retired from the Manitowoc Public School system in 1990. Almost immediately, however, he agreed to serve as interim superintendent in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Vernon was devoted to his wife and family. He was a lifelong, avid gardener and woodsman. In retirement he enjoyed having Friday morning breakfasts with the ROMEOs (retired old men eating out); volunteering to help others with tax forms; traveling, including overseas trips to Italy and France with the family; and cheering on the Cubs, watching every game online.

After waiting 71 years, he attended his third consecutive Cubs World Series Game, attending Game 1 of the 2016 World Series to see the Cubs vs. the Indians with his children.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Viva (n?e Nespital) and Vernon Childs, Sr., wife Evelyn, and son David. He is survived by children Elizabeth of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mary Ellen of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Paul (Laura) of Lexington, Kentucky; grandchildren Eliot and Evelyn; nephews, nieces, and cousins. Private burial will be in Branch Evergreen Cemetery, Branch, Wisconsin. Memorial plans will be announced later.

Vernon was a generous supporter of many nonprofit and service organizations. Please consider contributing to a favorite charity of your choice.