Gerald "Cal" D. Calhoun

LINK TO VIEW VIGIL SERVICE

LINK TO VIEW FUNERAL MASS

Gerald "Cal" D. Calhoun 84, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 6 at 9:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sioux City, IA with Father Terry Roder officiating.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, with full military honors. On Tuesday, January 5 visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm with family present from 6 to 8 pm at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Vigil service will start at 7 pm.

Cal was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 7, 1936 to Vincent and Francis "Polly" Calhoun. He graduated from Heelan High School in 1955. Cal received a band scholarship to attend Morningside College and then was called upon to play on the football team. He was recruited by the Baltimore Colts. However, he chose to join the US Air Force for 9 years which included a tour of duty in Okinawa. After being honorably discharged he continued his service with the 185th Fighter Wing for several years. Cal was employed as an engineer at KCAU, KMEG and was the Chief Engineer at KBCM and KWIT until establishing Calhoun Communications, Inc. in 1978.

Cal was a highly respected engineer in the broadcasting industry and was responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing radio and TV stations all over the US. Locally Cal was instrumental in the design and construction of KMEG, KBCM, KWIT, WNAX and KVHT. A lifetime dream of Cal, Father Harold Cooper, and determined lay members was to build a Catholic Radio Station in Sioux City, IA. After 20 years of hard work St. Gabriel Catholic Radio Station KFHC went on the air February 5, 2008. He was also the lead engineer that developed the first fixed wireless network in the country for Data Transmission Networks based out of Omaha. Cal was owner of KGSB radio station in Tremonton, Utah. He was an active member of the National Association of Broadcasters, which he was asked to speak at on several occasions.

Cal was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council, taught CCD, and was a member of The Legion of Mary. He served on the Sacred Heart School Board and was responsible for getting the first uniform dress code in place for the students. His faith was very important to him as he prayed the rosary daily.

Cal was known for his love of animals having at any one time 4-5 cats, plus feeding raccoons, squirrels, opossums, rabbits, birds, and even mice.

Cal is survived by his wife Norma; daughter, Debbie (Max) Delaney of McCook Lake, SD; daughter, Julie (Todd) Ballantyne of Fruit Heights, UT; son, Tony (Tena) Carpenter of N. Sioux City, SD; son, Jim (Joan) Calhoun of Moore, OK; son, Jerry (Lorraine) Calhoun of Eagan, MN; daughter, Kay (Phil) Abbe of Sioux City, IA;  daughter, Jodi (Carl) Beaver of Yukon, OK; 22 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.  Surviving siblings include sisters, Marijo (Jerry) Butler of West Des Moines, IA, Eleanor Drey of Spring Park, MN; brothers, Dick (Susan) Calhoun of Green Bay, WI, Bob (Rachel) Calhoun of Overland Park, KS, John (Beth) Calhoun of Polk City, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Vince & Polly Calhoun, brother Jim Calhoun, grandson Daniel Boone, son in law Max Delaney, daughter in law Joan Calhoun, and nephew Rick Calhoun.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Siouxland Humane Society.