Childs Edwin Dunbar, Jr.

Childs E Dunbar Jr, beloved husband, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, joined Jesus and many loved ones in Heaven on November 1, 2025 at the age of 97. He peacefully passed away at his daughter's home in Powder Springs, Georgia. Childs was born in New Orleans, LA to the late Childs E Dunbar Sr and Mamie Arthur Dunbar on March 10, 1928. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 73 years, Patricia Swaim Dunbar, his three sisters, Merlyn Dunbar O'Niell (Herb), Bonnie Dunbar Bengston (Bob), June Dunbar Rosentreter (George), and his son, Childs E. Dunbar, III (Mary Jo)., all of whom he dearly loved and missed.

Childs grew up in what is fondly known as Old Algiers. He was an Eagle Scout as a young man , and later on a Scout leader and Council member. Childs was a veteran who served in the United States Army National Guard in Louisiana in the Signal Corp and in the Army Reserve. He attended LSU in Baton Rouge and as a result was a huge Tiger fan. He ran track for LSU and loved telling how running the hurdles is what resulted in the scares on his knee. In later years, he, along with his family and friends, could be found tailgating and attending LSU football games.

After leaving school, Childs started his career in the shipyard business. He worked in several New Orleans area shipyards including Avondale Shipyard, Gretna Machine, Hunt Shipyard, and his favorite, Algiers Iron Works. As he gained knowledge of his industry, he started his own companies Marine Vessels and New Orleans Marine Services as a Certified Marine Consultant and Surveyor - NAMS-CMS (which he continued well into his 80s). He loved his work and was known for his tireless work ethic.

Childs was a BIG man. Not in stature but in personality, in heart, in grace, in faith, and in love. He was a people person. His hobbies were people. Honor and character were very important to him and as a result, he did everything with honesty and integrity. He loved telling stories about the old days and was famous for getting sidetracked and off topic because he had so much to say and share with those he loved. People who worked with him have shared how he was always willing to mentor the younger folks in the marine industry and share his knowledge with them. He made people feel special and looked for the good in others. His neighbors weren't just people who lived close by, but friends that were a part of his life.

Childs loved the Lord and lived his life to reflect God's love to others. He and his wife, Patricia, were charter members of Aurora United Methodist Church in Algiers, Louisiana. They both had a passion for helping others know the Lord.

He lived his entire life on the Westbank of New Orleans and had such pride in his community. His service to the Algiers and Gretna community included membership and leadership in the Rotary Club of the Westbank, the Propeller Club, the Mark Twain Club, the Marine Club, and PTA officer. He took great pride in being a Mason and a Shriner. He loved being an Algiers Irish Rebel in the St Patrick's Day parade. He even ran for State Representative with his slogan being "Save Behrman High."

Childs and Patsy both loved being involved in Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans, and they especially enjoyed attending the Krewe of Alla ball each year. Childs was a great cook of New Orleans cuisine and made delicious crawfish and shrimp etouffee. Childs, as did Patsy, loved their dogs. They weren't just pets, but members of the family.

Childs loved his family. and never missed an opportunity to let them know. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his daughter, Jean Anne Dunbar Chambers (David), his daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Dunbar Walker, five grandsons: Childs E. Dunbar, IV (Tia), Corey E. Dunbar (Ellen), Brian D. Chambers (Julie), Jeffrey M. Chambers (Meagan), and Christopher L. Chambers, as well as 10 great-grandchildren: Caden, Cale, Carter, and Ruby Dunbar, Cooper, Georgia Kate, and Tess Dunbar, Cami and Addi Chambers, and Jackson Chambers.

His family is comforted in thinking of the long and beautiful life he lived and their many memories of him. We ask that you remember him for the way he lived, and for the profound impact he had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Heartfelt thanks for the loving care of Childs to his caregiver, Louvonia of Home Instead and the caring staff of Silver Comet Village Memory Care facility.

A Celebration of Life service and burial will be held in Childs' hometown of New Orleans, LA at a later date.