Diane Marie Childress
July 22, 1951 - February 25, 2022
Diane Marie Childress, born Martin Douglas Childress in Olney, Illinois on July 22, 1951 to ML Childress and June Marie Shearer Childress. She grew up in Carmi, Illinois as the youngest of four siblings; Wallace Dale Childress, Gary Wayne Childress, and Constance Marie Leonard. She spent her childhood playing outside with her siblings till after dark, playing baseball for the Carmi Times, going to the library, and working at her mom’s record store, The Record Rack. This inspired a lifelong love for music and dancing which she passed down to both of her children.
She was a very curious person and was always trying to learn as much as she could about the world. She got her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. In her early twenties she moved to Boulder, CO to work at her brother Gary’s construction company. She loved hiking in the Boulder Mountain Park System and Rocky Mountain National park.
In 1978 she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and shortly after, at a Hallween party, dressed as a clown, she met her future wife Sue Childress. They were married for 20 years and had two children together and a dog named Omni. They loved to laugh, travel, camp and hike together.
In 1999, after years of struggling with her identity, Diane transitioned to become a woman. It was a decision made to become the person she always felt she truly was. It was also a very difficult decision, one she made in the face of the local and national cultural climate. But Diane was brave, and throughout the process of transitioning, despite how hard things got, she showed those around her, especially her children, that it’s important to be your true self. Her true self was an exceptionally strong, kind, and intelligent woman, friend, sibling, aunt, and father.
She read voraciously. Her favorite books being anything sci-fi, spiritual, science based, and historical. She worked for the Department of Labor for 37 years, starting out as the local OSHA lab librarian, and finishing her career as the National Program Manager for Web Services/ OSHA Webmaster and Directorate of Information Technology. She was instrumental in implementing the technological advances that came to OSHA with the 21st Century.
She had the biggest heart and was incredibly selfless and cared deeply for the people around her. She was an amazing Dad and was always there when her children needed her. She is survived by her former wife Susan Childress, Children; Ben and Amy Childress, siblings; Wallace Dale Childress (Barbara) Gary Childress(Debbie), and Constance Marie Leonard (Ron). Along with nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
A memorial service will be on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City followed by a celebration of life from 3:00 until 5:00 PM. Those unable to attend the memorial service may livestream by returning to this page just before 2:00 pm where a “Watch Service Live” button will appear.
In lieu of flowers we would like people to donate to the Utah Pride Center https://utahpridecenter.org/
In Loving Memory
Carrie and I would like to extend our love to the Childress family (Sue, Ben, and Amy) My most prevalent "life changing" memory of "Marty" was when they lived in the Sherman Avenue home. We were invited over to experience a new toy. Sue sat me down in their new 'listening chair' and Mardi put the headphones over my ears to hear this new invention called a CD. We were so blown away that we went to ZCMI the very next day to purchase a Fischer stereo system. The package was a rack, phonograph, amplifier, 2 - 100 watt speakers, and the CD PLAYER. The 1st 2 CDs were Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell (I still have them). We were hooked. Childress' had many fun parties at the Sherman Avenue home, especially at Halloween. We played softball and had some great picnics. This great musical/picture tribute shows a long life full of understanding, acceptance, and love.
Tom Brooks
Salt Lake City, UT
We are so sorry to hear about Diane. Our hearts are with her family.
Ian and Juliette Hunter
CUMBERLAND CENTER, ME
We'll never forget her laugh and her smile! Our friendship and OSHA family will always bring back fond memoires (especially the Holloween parties :) ) The strength and love of family was very present in the celebration of life service. Thoughts and prayers to your family. Frank and Dianna Koegler
Frank and Dianna Koegler
Prescott, AZ
Sorry to hear about Diane. I spent 23 years working with Diane - but her 37 years at OSHA - WOW! Pretty impressive. Diane was one of the few visionaries that I had the opportunity to work with. She used to marvel that I could recall every discusssion from most meetings, didn't need appointment books, meeting minutes etc. I used to tell her it was not that big a deal and was simply linear thought; and that her ability to visualize the solution to most any info technology problem in a very creative fashion was second to none. Her knowledge of info technology was simply impressive - she knew what she was talking about. I was very fortunate to have Diane on our team. Rick Cee
Rick Cee
SANDY, UT
I am so sorry for your loss. I can't believe I hadn't heard of Diane's passing. She was amazing and so strong. I worked with her for many years at OSHA. My sincere condolences.
Bonita Winingham
Oak Grove, MO