James Hershel "Jim" Calhoun passed from this world and entered his eternal home with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. A service honoring Jim and conducted by Charles Hill and Kendall Holland will be Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. The service will be at Criswell Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, where the Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors. A viewing has also been scheduled at Criswell Funeral Home on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Jim was born September 13, 1929 in Collins, Mississippi to parents J.D. and Mattie Pearce Calhoun. Growing up with very little in depression-era Mississippi, Jim was blessed with loving parents who taught him old-fashioned family values, along with the importance of community support and hard work. These virtues would become hallmarks of Jim's adult life.
After graduating high school, Jim enlisted in the Air Force and served during the Korean War at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After his post-military service, Jim moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma, where he owned and operated a popular truck stop. During this time, Jim married Pearl Dane Fatheree, who preceded him in death after 12 years of marriage and the birth of their son, Charles "Duane" Calhoun.
Jim then married Dora “Maxine” Wallis. Jim and Maxine relocated to southwest Oklahoma City where they managed a busy U-Haul dealership. Later in life, they moved to Byng, Oklahoma where they served as custodians until their retirement. Preceded in death by both their first spouses, Jim and Maxine were able to celebrate more than 50 years of marriage before Maxine went to be with our Lord in 2016.
Jim was an active member of the Galey Church of Christ, as well as the Mason's. He spent his last days at the Veterans Assisted Living Facility in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he was provided exceptional support and care until his death.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first and second wives; his son; and his stepdaughter, Elaine Courtright. He was also preceded in death by his three sisters, Gloria Dawn Calhoun, Marilyn Calhoun, and Joyce Barker, as well as five brothers Winfred, Red, Kenneth, Joe, and Harold Calhoun.
Jim is survived by his stepson Ron Smith and wife, Darlene, of Ada, and his stepson Mike Smith of Guthrie, Oklahoma. His grandchildren include James Courtright and his wife, Leslie, of Arlington, Virginia; Tracy lams and her husband, Don, of Klamath Falls, Oregon; Amy Gadson and her husband, Craig, of Chickasha; Melinda Smith of Stratford; Becky Humphers and her husband, Jeremy, of Norman, Oklahoma; Aubrey Mills of Chickasha; Ashley Miller and her husband, Nathan, of Thomas, Oklahoma; and Miranda Blevins and her husband, Thomas, of Guthrie.
Jim is also survived by 21 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
Bearers are Jacob Humphers, Jordan Smith, Tyler Smith, Thomas Blevins Jr, Craig Gadson and Steve Littleton.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
