Clarence Callahan Obituary

Clarence (Cal) Thomas Callahan, a World War II Antiaircraft Artillery Officer and Bronze Star recipient died Wednesday July 10, 2008 at his home in Grenelefe Haines City, Florida. He was born January 31, 1919 in Danville, VA to Nannie Kate Tudor Callahan and William Callahan. He was preceded in death by one brother and six sisters. In 1941 he graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia. As a member of the outstanding boxing team, he was undefeated as a freshman, an Intercollegiate Finalist in 1941 and represented UVA at the National event held at Penn State. He was on the Dean's List all four years, a member of the "V" Club and elected to the Raven Society and the Beta Gamma Sigma Honoree Society. He is listed in the 1941 as a "distinguished student". He was recruited by the International Harvester Company and served them for more than 30 years. He progressed through the positions of Assistant Comptroller in Canton, IL (where he met his wife, Violet Holmberg Callahan) and the East Moline, IL plants, Comptroller of the historic McCormick Plant, and Comptroller of the Tractor and Engine Plant in Louisville, KY. For his last 20 years with International Harvester, he served in the Chicago Headquarters as a Division or Group Manufacturing Operations Comptroller for the North American Plants. He married his beloved wife,Violet, in 1955 and they shared a common interest in golf winning many group events. Sadly, Violet died on December 11, 2003. Cal has served as President of the Grenelefe Resort Men's Golf Association, and the Chair of the 2006 Diamondback Master's Flight First Tournament. He created a scholarship for students from Dan River High School in Danville to attend the McIntire School of Commerce. He has also made substantial contributions to the McIntire Building Fund. His life has expressed his awareness of the high character and ethical standards instilled in him by his parents. Clarence Callahan is survived by two nephews Larry Warren (Phoenix, AZ), and Charles Lawrence (Virginia Beach, VA), and two nieces Catherine Morgan (Newport News, VA) and Tamsey Warren Ellis (Cape Charles, VA). He will also be missed by his caretaker, Frances Wells. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, July 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 104 Scenic Highway, Haines City, FL. The viewing will be held one hour earlier at 12:00 noon and a reception will follow the service. He will be buried next to his wife in the Tudor Family Cemetery in Critz, VA on July 17, 2008. Burial arrangements are being made by the Moody Funeral Services, P. O. Box 307 Blue Ridge Street, Stuart, VA 24171. Donations may be made in the name of Clarence Callahan to the First Presbyterian Church of Haines City (listed above) or Good Shepherd Hospice, 218 Dixie South, Haines City, FL 33844 Condolences to the family: www.oakridgefuneralcare.com