Ronald Childers touched the lives of many people. He had many gifts and he chose to share them with others. He was an accomplished artist, teacher and mentor. He taught art and theater to thousands of students in his long career. He was thoughtful, kind and honest.

He received a Bachelor of Science in 1951 from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas followed by a Master of Fine Arts and teaching from the University of Washington. In 1954 Ron moved from Texas to Washington for a teaching position in Langley. Several years later he took a position teaching art in the Bellevue School District and remained there for nearly 30 years until his retirement.

Ron’s artwork has been displayed at the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Bellevue Art Museum, the Henry Art Gallery as well as Childers Proctor Gallery in Langley.

Ron was generous with his time. He was a member of the Northwest Designer Craftsman for 20 years. He was a member of Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair board, the Whidbey Island Arts Council and directed the Choochokam Festival of Arts in Langley for many years. He volunteered with the Whidbey AIDS Support Fund and was a member of the board of directors Langley Chamber of Commerce. After he moved to Palm Springs he volunteered at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Ron spent 50 years with his devoted partner (and ultimately husband) Richard Proctor who preceded him in death last year. They were devoted partners in life as well as in art. They moved to Whidbey Island full-time in the 1970s. Starting in 1983, they owned and operated the Childers Proctor Gallery in Langley where they promoted and encouraged many new talents. They also enjoyed extensive international travel. The two moved to Palm Springs in 1999 and for many years split their time between the California desert and Whidbey Island.

Ron left a beautiful mark on our world, and he will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

An inurnment ceremony will take place at Saint Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland, Washington on July 29, 2023 at 2:30 p.m.