Saturday, March 22, 2025
From humble beginnings in the hills South of Speed, KS, to a mansion on the hilltop of heaven are the bookends of the journey of Donald Ray Calhoon on this earth. He was the second child born to Willis William Calhoon and Ruby Grace (Lindenmuth) Calhoon in a family of six siblings.
As a child living on many farms in rural Phillips County, he thought he must have attended most of the rural one-room schoolhouses before moving to Glade, KS, and being schooled there and at Phillipsburg and Densmore, KS.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Sharon Lee Van Allen, on September 29th, 1960 and they recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary, still in love.
Kansas was his home except for 3 ½ years living in Denver, CO.
Don accepted Christ as his savior, was baptized in March, 1967 becoming a member of First Christian Church in Phillipsburg.
Don was talented with his hands using them to earn a living in many ways. From playing his guitar to welding, and his favorite of building engines. Mopar was his specialty and he quickly became the “go to” man for Dodge & Plymouth products.
He worked as a welder, tile installer and ran an “Old Home” bread route before going to work at the CRA Refinery around 1968 until it closed in 1982. He then opened Calhoon’s Machine & Repair and spent 42 years doing what he really enjoyed, building & rebuilding motors and fine tuning engines.
He was proud of the success of his race car engines. Car racing was his passion, always actively involved in doing it, then cheering as his son, son-in-law and 2 grandsons took up the sport. You could always count on him for advice even if it wasn’t followed.
Don organized a country western music band named “The Stringbenders” playing for many area dances.
He always said he was glad his wife drug him out of the shop to enjoy travels with her to a lot of special places, including Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, England, Scotland and Ireland.
Don loved his family deeply, each one and was anxious to assure them of his love for them. He proved family extends beyond blood in the special relationship he formed with Kolton Vogel. Upon meeting Kolton’s new baby, he asked if he could be his grandad.
He departed this chapter of life on October 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by: his devoted wife Sherry, son Brian (Melanie) Calhoon of Beloit, daughters - Sonya (Nick) Aiken of Phillipsburg and Laura (Tim) Watts of Beloit, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, bonus grandson and great grandson. Sisters – Ruby (George) Phillips of Concordia, KS, Vicki (Dave) Weller, Westminster, CO, Sandra Calhoon (Don) of Phillipsburg. Brother – Wilbur (Donna) Calhoon of Weles, UT, sister-in-law –Karalee Calhoon, Glade, KS, along with a host of nephews, nieces and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Willis and Ruby Calhoon, and brother Wilmer Calhoon.
