Calvin Self

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Calvin L. Self, age 85, was eternally reunited with his true love, Renee. Calvin was born in Flour Bluff, Texas, on May 30, 1937, to John and Florine Self, the first of their four children. He was a proud tribal member of the Muscogee Creek Nation. His family was among the first pioneering families to establish residence in Flour Bluff. He married Wilma (Renee) Bullock on January 21, 1956. Calvin lived his whole life in Flour Bluff and graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 1955. He was active in numerous sports and clubs, including football, parliamentary club, future business leaders, choir, FFA and 4-H.

He worked as a master electrician and commercial fisher and shrimper. Calvin and Renee started Industrial Electric Co., Inc., in 1970. They started out small and grew Industrial Electric into a thriving business that lasted for 37 years. He was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 278 for 65 years. He took great pride in the company, with many notable projects and business relationships that resulted in contracts including the Texas State Aquarium. Calvin also took great pride in his cattle ranch in Kenedy and was frequently out sunup to sundown working on all of the aspects of running a ranch.

Calvin enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting artifacts, traveling, having a beer, and a good laugh with friends. Calvin never met a stranger–and if you never met him personally, you were bound to hear about his antics. No one was exempt from falling prey to one of Calvin’s many pranks or jokes. It was often said that someone should write a book about Flour Bluff legend Calvin Self and his adventures, especially the ones that went down in the Landcut.

He was a man’s man and larger than life. He had a presence when he entered the room and a reputation that preceded him. You either loved him, hated him, hated to love, or loved to hate him! He wasn’t a perfect man, and you couldn’t help but respect him. Flour Bluff lost its last living legend.

Left to cherish and love Calvin are: his three sons, Gordon (Joyce) Self; Mitchell (Robin) Self; Stewart Self; his daughter, Michelle (Keith) Campbell; two sisters: Nancy (Ken) Condry, Sharon (David) Weaver and his sister-in-law Christa Self. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Calvin loved his seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.

Remembering his pranks, laugh, and wisdom are: Cassandra Self-Houston (Zebulah), Alisha Cowan (Grady), Andrea Lupo (Ryan), Nathan Self (Shelby), Lauren Yates, Christopher Yates; Great Grandchildren: Connor Self, Grace, Madelyn, Jackson and Carter Houston, Genevieve, Sheridan, Evynne, Peregrine, and Heathcliff Cowan, Avlynn and Hudson Lupo.

Calvin is preceded in death by his parents: Haskell (John) Self and Florine Self; wife, Renee Self; brother, Edward (Hop) Self; nephew, Christopher Weaver; grandson, Cameron Self and his great-grandson, Ryder Cowan.

Public visitation will be held Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 4:30 to 8:00 P.M. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, TX. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 13, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with burial to follow at the historical Duncan Cemetery in Flour Bluff.

Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers are: Christopher Yates, Nathan Self, Grady E. Cowan, III, Ryan Lupo, Zeb Houston, and Hunter Reeves. Honorary pallbearers are Gordon Self, Mitchell Self, and Stewart Self.

Special thank you to Stewart Self and Melissa Hill for their time spent caring for our Dad.