Calvin V. Shahan

Calvin V. Shahan was born to Ray and Oda Tipton Shahan on November 20, 1925 in Yokum, Arkansas. He passed away on December 7, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 92. Cal lived in a small farm house with his parents, grandparents, sister Nadine and brother Wayne. Cal was the baby of the family. On the farm, they grew everything they ate, made everything they used, hunted, fished and tended livestock. There was no electricity or running water, but Cal always remembered those years as being idyllic. They were a musical family, gathering in the evenings to play the fiddle, banjo, guitar, harmonica and pump organ. Cal and his siblings attended a one room school house where he had a wonderful teacher who instilled in him a love of learning. His little family lost their farm during the depression and they moved to the small town of Green Forest when Cal was 10. He worked many jobs around town to help out. He started out as a soda jerk at the drug store on the town square. He was so small he had to stand on wooden boxes to reach the counter. Cal soon worked up to helping in the pharmacy and always credited the owner Floy Bishop as being his mentor. After work, Cal went to his second job at the pool hall where he learned to play very well. He also sold popcorn at the movie theater, worked at the tomato cannery and at the ice house-a hard job, but wonderfully cool in the summer. Although he already played several instruments, Cal taught himself to play the coronet so he could be in the marching band in high school. He was in FFA & 4H Club. He graduated from Green Forest High School in 1943. Cal wanted to join the war effort, so in 1944 he enlisted in the Marine Corps. His first train trip was to Camp Pendleton, California to boot camp. There, he earned an expert marksman medal, crediting his years of squirrel hunting for his abilities. Cal received a citation for bravery and a Purple Heart during his service in action on Guam and Iwo Jima. He was nominated for a medal of honor by his commanding officer. After he was wounded, he was on a stretcher on the beach waiting to be transported to the hospital ship, and then home, when he got up and returned to battle, saying he wouldn't leave his buddies to fight alone. He remained friends with those men the rest of their lives. He served in the Honor Guard for Admiral Nimitz. After an honorable discharge, Cal went to the College of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas on the GI Bill. There he met the love of his life, Martha Ann "Marty" Smith. They often talked about how much fun they had going to dances and to the soda shop and college basketball games. Marty's parents were a bit worried about her dating a marine just back from the war, but he soon won them over. Cal and Marty married in 1951 and moved to St. Louis, where Cal had a job waiting for him at Kirkwood Drug. They lived there 5 years and enjoyed socializing with wonderful friends and taking advantage of the St. Louis cultural scene. In 1955, the couple moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma for Cal to take a fob at Fox Vliet Drug Co. Their only child, Cindy was born the very day they moved into their first house, during a record breaking snow and ice storm. Cal worked for that company until his retirement, earning promotions and salesman of the year awards almost every year. He and Marty always said that they had a blessed life. His family and friends meant everything to him. He enjoyed every minute of his life and was very grateful. Cal had a great sense of humor and was known for being quick with a joke. He loved big band music and dancing with his wife. He was a man of character, quiet and steady, yet strong, dependable and heroic. Cal treated everyone with respect, was always a gentleman and put others first. He saw the best in people and was eternally optimistic. He will be missed. Cal was preceded in death by his wife Marty, of 63 years; his parents, and his brother. He is survived by his daughter Cindy and son-in-law Frank, sister Nadine, and nieces, nephews, and friends. Please join us for a memorial service and celebration of life for Cal on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Clarehouse Hospice, 7617 S. Mingo, Tulsa, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations to Clarehouse or to the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund are welcome. There will be a graveside service at Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville, Arkansas, Friday, December 15, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Calvin V. Shahan

November 20, 1925 - December 7, 2017