Profile – Kevin Childers

Chairman
Kevin Childers
Phone: (901) 574-0442
Email

My mechanical interest began at an early age in Florida (Ellenton, 1961), where I was born. Boats, motorcycles, lawn mowers and eventually cars were where I spent my time. I moved to Tennessee and while in high school my interest was narrowed to cars (69 Chevy Pickup, 67 Chevelle and 68 SS Camaro), girls and sports and somewhat in that order, lol. Two weeks after graduating from High School, I moved to Memphis to attend x-ray school. Seven Months later, I realized that this was not for me, so I sneak off to New Iberia La; to work as a rough neck.

Two years later, during a significant storm, 25 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, rain coming down in massive drops, sideways, into my face, I figure “it’s time to go to college!”, LOL. Leveraging my God given mechanical gifts, my direct experience inside a hospital I decide on pursuing a career in Biomedical Engineering Technology.

My professional life takes off as my vintage American automobiles collection declines. My 73 Delta 88 Convertible (Tagged, LAN YOT) has been stolen, my Chevelle is vandalized and well, I am selling everything! What a regrettable time for my car interest; however, I met my lovely talented beautiful wife Linda a Nurse that some say, I stalked at the hospital, finally said yes to having lunch with me. We both continued our education where I earned a master’s in healthcare and she became a Nurse Practitioner, Marriage, kiddo’s (Samuel & Halle) soon followed, and I focused on being the best husband, father and provider to our close family. My interest in Cars, boats and motorcycles and all things mechanical morphed into landscaping, gardening, photography, hunting, scouting and coaching. My career transitions from buying and managing medical devices for one hospital with 5 centers of excellence, to opportunities to represent the Memphis area for GE, Philips, Konica and now Samsung.

Suddenly, 20+ years fly by as I enter the 4th quarter of life (60 years old) and Covid shuts the world down as we know it. Home bound and thinking, what am I going to be when I grow up? Then a 77 MGB in decent shape finds me, looking for something to do, only to confirm the head and crank shaft were cracked! So, here we go with Car #1 or appropriately named by Linda as “your red headed girlfriend!” A complete overhaul commences, and the learning curve begins. The British Sports Car Club of Memphis quickly embracing me and my newfound MG passion. Covid tragically takes my wife’s father who owned a Jaguar. With his unfair and still fresh departure, we are sorting thru things in his garage, only to think, “where’s Roy’s Jag?” Which after seeking, finding, and rescuing from an abandoned state, became car #2. By this time, I’m into British cars and just can’t live without an MGA. The beautifully painted white 57 MGA
At this point my wife and I determined that I have an issue/passion/goal/objective, so we purchase a depressed piece of property in my wife’s hometown. It has two buildings with plenty of space (30×60 and 40×120), so free cars and nearly free cars follow. The address is sexy, 1000 South Main, so we purchase, clean-up and begin to renovations. After a collection of 12 cars, I promised my wife not to purchase any more project cars and all was well. Well, until March of 2023, when a tornado hit the large building and the project cars that included a 73 Internation Scout, my Dad’s Tundra, a 58 MGA and 5 MGB’s were reduced to parts cars. The next day was April 1st, nevertheless; www.kckars.com was still alive, maybe not so well, but alive and with renewed perseverance!

No Time to fret, for it was time to focus on the GT48! My 1st GT and it’s in Memphis! By this time, I’m an active member of the Memphis British Sports Car Club and honored to be assigned the task of leading the GT’s technical sessions. This was the most amazing car week of my life! Technical legends in all things MG from all areas of the country came to Memphis for nearly a week to celebrate everyone’s passion for MGA’s. Wow! Such an honor to meet everyone, too many to name individually, but Wow!

I’m now the President of the British Sports Car Club of Memphis and proudly leading our nearly 100 members in celebrating each other and our common bond, our love for our classically simple, elegantly beautiful British Sports Cars.

Linda and I have recently been promoted to Grand Parents and our daughter is engaged. We’re blessed beyond our dreams, still working full-time and busier than ever. Yet, we do find time to pick a car and take a ride as we reflect on our blessings that certainly include spending time with each other, while listening to the SU’s purr as you all know how they do.
As I grow up, my goals are to stay healthy, walk my daughter down the aisle, have my grandson join me in the shop, meet even more grandchildren and celebrate a good life with friends and family.

I am happy to give back to NAMGAR, and my current assignment as the regalia person should prepare me for future assignments as deemed by the board.