John Holbrook Childs III

John Holbrook Childs III, former Sterling Heights Fire Chief, passed away peacefully from natural causes on December 30, 2025, at the age of 78.

John was born on November 18, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Algonac High School in 1965, where he distinguished himself as a standout athlete in both football and track and field—early signs of the discipline, leadership, and dedication that would define his life.

Before beginning his fire service career, John proudly served in the United States Navy, with duty stations in Illinois and Texas. His commitment to service continued when he joined the Sterling Heights Fire Department, where he dedicated 36 years of his life to protecting the community. He served the final 13 years of his career as Fire Chief, overseeing five fire stations and leading 108 uniformed and civilian full-time employees, including the City’s Office of Emergency Management.

Throughout his career, John held numerous roles, including Firefighter/EMT, Training Officer, Chief of Training, and ultimately Fire Chief. His leadership left a lasting mark on the department. Sterling Heights Assistant Fire Chief Mike Amormino reflected on his impact, stating:

“Chief Childs was a true advocate for and representative of the Sterling Heights Fire Department. He played a significant role in our history and legacy, and his influence is a large part of why we are the department we are today. Chief Childs was extremely proud of the men and women who worked here and who contributed every day to making this department better. His leadership and dedication helped push many important issues to the forefront and laid groundwork that continues to benefit us today.”

John was deeply committed to education and professional development. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Safety Engineering from Kennedy Western University and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Central Michigan University. After retiring from the fire department, he continued to share his expertise for more than a decade as a Senior Consultant with Empco, Inc.

John was married to his beloved wife, Kathy Childs, for 26 years. They shared a deep love and partnership until Kathy’s passing in 2023. During their retirement, John and Kathy embraced their shared passion for travel, visiting all seven continents together—a testament to their adventurous spirit and love of life. He was also a faithful member of Shelby Bible Church and openly professed his faith in Jesus Christ.

John was a devoted father to four children: Christopher “John” (Irene) Childs, Autumn (Paul) Manelis, John (Kelly) See, and Mike (Tabitha) See. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Jessica, Vanessa, Parker, Ava, Mya, Ella, and Scarlett, who brought him immense joy.

Chief Childs will be remembered for his integrity, leadership, commitment to public service, and unwavering pride in those he served alongside. His legacy lives on through the Sterling Heights Fire Department, his family, and all who were fortunate enough to know him.

A Memorial visitation honoring John's life will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 10:30am - 11:00am followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00am at Shelby Bible Church, 47905 Hayes Road, Shelby Township, Michigan 48315. A memorial luncheon will immediately follow services, there at Shelby Bible Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor John’s memory with a donation to Shelby Bible Church. 
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