Columbus, OH — Dana Ward Childs, 71, of Westbrook, Maine, died May 4, 2022, at Race Me Stables in Westbrook, after a brief illness.

Mr. Childs was born in Portland on June 26, 1950, the son of Dana W. and Jean (Hight) Childs. He attended Portland schools, graduating from Deering High School in 1969.

Dana Childs died May 4, 2022.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Sandra (Halverson) Childs, in 2007. He is survived by his daughters, Jayme Rice, JoAnna Rice, and Courtney (Jeff) Spofford; sisters, Donna (Richard) Meiners and Michele Childs Flynn (Robert); brother, William (Betsy); grandchildren, Alexa Corey, Nathan Corey and Max Spofford; nieces, Melissa Emerson, Maraga Martens, Brean Witmer, Dana Marie, and Jessica; and nephew, Nicholas. A sincere thanks to Sue Lowe for her support and companionship.

Mr. Childs followed in the steps of his family, starting with his great-grandmother, Josephine Hendrickson, his grandfather, Dana E. Childs, and his father, Dana White Childs, pursuing a career as an owner/trainer/driver of Standardbreds.

After raising their children in Portland, Dana and Sandi built their dream horse farm, Dansan Farm, in Saco. Dansan Farm was conveniently located close to Scarborough Downs, where at post time, when not racing one of his own horses, he could be found alongside the track, watching the races with friends and family. Whenever his horses won a race, the track announcer would refer to Dana’s stable as “the aging hippie stable!”

A hippie at heart, attending Woodstock was a highlight for him as a young adult, resulting in some great stories.

When he wasn’t busy working at the farm, he also enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his family, preferably in the sun, by the pool.

Mr. Childs retired in early 2020, and soon made his winter home in Fort Meyers, Fla., where he was able to enjoy some time not in a cold horse barn.

A private burial will be held with family. We welcome his friends to a Celebration of Life party to be held on his birthday, Sunday (June 26), at 1 p.m. at Race Me Stables, 350 East Bridge Street, Westbrook.

The family would like to thank the health professionals at Maine Medical Partners and MaineHealth for their care of Mr. Childs during his illness.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, P.O. Box 10, South Windham, ME 04082.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for further information and to leave a tribute in Dana’s memory.