Ken Keith Earnest O'Brien Childress' Obituary
Ken Keith Ernest O’Brien Childress was born December 02, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan to Marilyn Edith Childress and Ken Keith Ernest O’Brien. He grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, spent several childhood years in Minden, Louisiana, and joyful summers in Holly, Michigan with his grandparents. Ken was a fun loving, and gentle soul, whose contagious smile, kind heart, outgoing personality and generous spirit stole the hearts of everyone that he encountered. If you knew Ken, you loved him! His dynamic personality, beaming smile, with a toothpick on the side, and unmatched work ethic were but a few of the things that made him so very special.
Graduating in 1990, from Pontiac Central High School in Pontiac, Michigan with his high school diploma and a certificate in Building Trades-Carpentry and Masonry, Ken had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and was a well-organized, hardworking, business man; from working over the years at Sprint, Ameritech, Bachelor’s Clothing Store, to operating his own cell phone business and finally owning his own Landscaping/Lawn Care and Snow Removal company while working at Spartan Paving & Sealcoating.
Ken married at a young age to Mrs. Tanya Harbin and out of that union was born three beautiful children; Ken Keith Ernest O’Brien Harbin Jr. age 25, Brittany Kierra Childress age 23, and Angel Promise Childress age 20. Many years later, on November 18, 2013, Ken married his longtime friend and love, Jatera Maing and welcomed three new son’s into his life; Deontay Hanzlovic, Tyquise Hanzlovic, and Jimond Hasley, and his only granddaughter, Peyton Avery Hanzlovic.
As a young man Ken accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior under the leadership of his grandfather, the late Bishop Guss Childress at Bethlehem Temple Church of All Nations in Salem, Michigan. Over the last several years Ken strived to better understand and work towards a relationship with The Lord. Following the advice of his mom, Marilyn Childress, “to know God for yourself”, Ken was moved toward Christ’s humility and service to his fellow man. Under the guidance of Minister Paula Sizemore, Ken matured spiritually and grew in wisdom and his love of God.
Ken’s passion for helping others drove him to put his heart and soul into loving and caring for his family. Many times this definition extended far and wide to those that were in need. Surrounding his home with the joy and laughter of family, friends, and even children who were not his own. He brought excitement and laughter everywhere that he went. Ken was a dedicated father, adoring husband, hard-working businessman and a loyal friend. He enjoyed dancing, singing his favorite old school rap songs, watching football, going out to eat, being silly, drinking Kool-Aid and cooking his world famous “Ken” wings! He would often talk about opening a restaurant where he could serve his “Ken” wings, fries and Kool-Aid to the world. Ken sought to make the most out of the life he had been given. You could often over hear him saying to live for today.
Ken departed this life suddenly on January 18, 2017 at the age of 44 shortly after midnight at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan. To say he was a great man is an understatement. Words cannot begin to express what he meant to each and every one of us. He was truly loved and he will be truly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his mother; Marilyn Edith Childress, his father; Ken Keith Ernest O’Brien, and his grandparents; Bishop Guss and Dorothy Childress. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife; Jatera Maing-Childress, his six children; Ken Harbin, Deontay Hanzlovic, Brittany Childress, Tyquise Hanzlovic, Angel Childress and Jimond Hasley, four brothers; Geryn Childress, Kevin O’Brien, Dee Drummond, and Tomus Maine, one sister; Kym O’Brien, his only granddaughter; Peyton Avery Hanzlovic and a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
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