Jay William Childress, 56, of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, formerly of Edina, Missouri, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born August 7, 1969 in Kansas City, Missouri, and adopted by Jerry William and Minnie A. Karhoff Childress.

He graduated from the Knox County High School in the Class of 1988.

He worked alongside his dad at Childress Grain Elevator in Baring, Missouri, worked for several local farmers, and later drove for several trucking companies until his health failed.

On June 12, 1993, in Kahoka, Missouri, Jay married Cynthia McMann, and to this union a daughter was born.

They moved to Camdenton, Missouri to make their home and raise a family.

He enjoyed assembling models, fast cars and trucks, and he loved to go boating on the Lake of the Ozarks.

Jay is survived by his wife, Cynthia Childress of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; a granddaughter, Emberson Dawn Somers of Fort Madison, Iowa; a son-in-law, James Somers of Fort Madison, Iowa; brother-in-law's, Arnold McMann of Morning Sun, Iowa, Dale and Pam McMann of Kahoka, Missouri, Gary McMann of Canton, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Janie and Roy Rankiin; aunts and uncles, Larry and Sharon Childress of Brashear, Missouri, Peggy Shahan of Clark, Missouri, Marsha and Johnny Chism of Mexico, Missouri, and Bebe Harris of Fulton, Missouri and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Clarissa Dawn Somers on May 7, 2018, his parents, Jerry Childress on December 14, 2005 and Minnie Childress on March 7, 2022; and two siblings, Jerry Lloyd Childress and Kelly Ann Childress in a house fire on March 10, 1969.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.

His family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

An expression of sympathy in memory of Jay Childress may be left to the Knox County Cancer Fund or the St. Joseph Catholic Parrish. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.