In memoriam: Clay 'Corey' Childs, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent
Childs, an Extension agent for 34 years, leaves behind a legacy of impact and service in youth development, animal science, and agricultural leadership in Virginia.
Clay “Corey” Childs ’85, a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for 34 years, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 31. He was 60 years old.
Childs began his career in Extension in 1990 as a 4-H youth development agent. He most recently served as the unit coordinator and animal science Extension agent for Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties.
“Throughout his work with agricultural producers and 4-H youth across the region, Corey has made a deep and lasting impact on Virginia,” said John Thompson, Northwest District Director for Virginia Cooperative Extension. “His passion for building the next generations of leaders to secure the future of agriculture was unmatched. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to work with and learn from him. He was more than a co-worker, he was a friend, a truly outstanding Extension Agent, and a wonderful person.”
A lifelong resident of Clarke County, Childs graduated from Clarke County High School in 1981 and earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science and agricultural education from Virginia Tech in 1985.
His love for showing, breeding, and promoting sheep, as well as 4-H, began in his teens. He served as a member of the Northern District 4-H cabinet, as state 4-H vice president, and was a Virginia State 4-H All Star. At Virginia Tech, he competed on the Livestock Judging Team, which dominated the collegiate livestock judging scene and inspired many of Childs’ fondest memories.
A passionate advocate for 4-H and FFA programs, Childs trained more than 1,000 youth in best management practices with project animals through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) program. He participated in the Virginia State Fair Youth Livestock Week for the past 34 consecutive years.
Childs was recognized for his leadership in Virginia agriculture on numerous occasions. Among his awards and honors, he received the Outstanding Virginia Shepherd Award; was appointed to the Virginia Sheep Industry Board in 2002 and 2005; received a State Achievement Award in Extension Programming from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents; and earned an Excellence in Extension Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Alumni Association. He has been an active member of the American Suffolk Association, American Southdown Association, and the American Hampshire Sheep Association.
With his wife of 36 years, Janet, Childs bred competitive show lambs, stud rams, and breeding ewes for more than three decades.
He will be inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame on Oct. 25.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home in Berryville. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m., at the Berryville Baptist Church, followed by a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, the Childs family requests donations to support Virginia Tech’s Livestock Judging Program. Checks can be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation, 902 Prices Fork Rd., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, with the memo line, “In Memory of Corey Childs.” Gifts can also be made online to Corey Childs Memorial Endowment.
