A search for a missing fisherman from Smith Point, Texas, has ended in heartache for his family and friends after the elderly man’s body was recovered about 10 miles from his capsized boat.
According to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, the body of W.F. Childress, owner of Childress Seafood, was located near the Texas City Dike Tuesday afternoon, a day after he had disappeared while fishing on Trinity Bay.
Childress departed from Smith Point in Chambers County around 8:30 a.m. Monday morning in a 16-foot aluminum sportsman trawling rig. He reportedly planned to head to the Anahuac channel to search for shrimp.
Childress was very familiar with the water and had spent most of his life fishing and shrimping the Galveston/Trinity Bay complex, according to a statement from Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne.
Childress was found to be wearing a traditional life jacket (PFD) with no other visible signs of trauma. An autopsy has been ordered by the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s office.
“Mr. Childress was an experienced boat handler and fisherman who obviously was unable to find safe harbor during yesterday’s storm. Prayers to him, his family and friends for this tragic loss, may he rest in peace,” Hawthorne said.
I bought a lot of seafood from him. So sorry to hear this.
I’m sorry for your lost.