James “Jim” Childs, 70, of Wyoming, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Born in Kalamazoo on September 5, 1955, Jim was the son of Ralph Horton and Betty Fae (Gallagher) Childs. At just 15, he began learning the printing trade at the Tuberculosis Health and Emphysema Society of Grand Rapids, where his father was director. A few years later, he purchased a used printing press and launched Night Light Printing out of his garage. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jill Gietzen, who stopped by to have her résumé printed. That simple encounter grew into a lifelong partnership, and Jim and Jill were married on October 14, 1978, celebrating nearly 47 wonderful years together.
Jim graduated from Grand Valley State College with a degree in business, while Jill completed her degree at Kendall School of Design. Together, they built multiple businesses that blended Jim’s ingenuity with Jill’s creativity, always supporting and complementing one another’s gifts. Their greatest treasures, however, were their daughters, Katie Louise Childs and Alicia (“Alex”) Ann Childs Lutz, and later their grandsons, James Randall (“JR”) and Cole Ralph Lutz.
Jim was known for his big heart and his unique gift of finding value in what others overlooked. He collected both people and things that had been discarded, offering them love, purpose, and a fresh start. His sense of humor was infectious—sometimes a quiet “hee hee,” other times a full, rolling belly laugh. Jim also loved to encourage others with his favorite saying: “If you don’t see someone with a smile, give them yours.”
Jim and his family made High Point Community Church in Byron Center their home. There he developed a wide circle of friendships and, most importantly, surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, with whom he now rejoices in heaven.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his best childhood friend, Don Oros. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Jill; daughters, Katie Childs and Alex (Chad) Lutz; grandsons, JR and Cole Lutz; sisters, Cynthia (Larry) Howard and Catherine (Craig) Denton, both of Wyoming, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends; his faithful dog, Finn; and his “adopted sidekick,” Jonathan Leisgang, nephew of his late friend Don.
“Did anyone tell you today that they loved you” …was always something that he told us every day.
A Celebration of Life will be held at High Pointe Community Church, 2975 76th St. SW, Byron Center, Michigan 49315, on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Visitation will be from 4:30–5:30 p.m., followed by a service and dinner. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial gifts to be made to High Pointe Community Church.