Bobby Ray Callahan

Bob R. Callahan, 94, of OKC passed peacefully from this life on May 21, 2021. Bob was born on Feb. 4, 1927 in Wetumka, OK to LeRoy and Mary Evelyn Beaubien. Bob completed 3 ½ years of college before enlisting in the US Air Force where he served his country with honor. He later joined the US Air Force Reserves where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1953. Bob enjoyed a very successful career as a class ring salesman. He enjoyed working with and bringing joy to the students he served and also enjoyed many lifelong friendships with the education professionals he met along the way. In the late 1980’s, during one of his sales visits, Bob met the love of his life, a school teacher, Sue Peterson. While originally friends, Bob spent years talking Sueinto dating him and once successful, he spent many more years talking her into marrying him. In Jan. of2001, his wish came true, Bob and Sue married. They spent the next two decades by each other’s side before Sue’s passing in 2020.

Shortly after getting married, Sue’s father Vernon moved in with Bob and Sue, and Bob and Vernon

became the best of friends. Bob retired after over 30 years in ring sales, to help care for Vernon. With

the help of Bob’s son, local interior designer, Steve Callahan, Bob and Sue built their entertainment

dream home in the Kingswood addition in South OKC where they loved to entertain friends and family.

They hosted numerous parties throughout the years including their famous Christmas parties, which

were always the event of the year. Bob was a member of Willow Creek Golf Club where he enjoyed

countless rounds of golf with his good friends. He was a talented cook and grill master who was well

known for his beans and fried potatoes, his perfect filet mignon, and his legendary fried chicken and

gravy. Bob will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and his love for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and best friend Sue H. Callahan, his son Steve Callahan, as well as his first wife and second wife. Bob is survived by his children: Tim Callahan of Colorado, Sam Callahan of Norman, Paula Kamp of Tulsa, and Kate Redford of Colorado; as well as numerous grandchildren.

In addition to his immediate family he was blessed to be loved and cherished by his in-law family, the

“Petersons’ ”, who rallied to support and surrounded him in the months following Sue’s passing. Enabling

him to stay in his home and stay independent. And they were happy to do it in appreciation for the 35+

years that he loved and supported them as his own. His “Peterson Family”: Son-in-law, John “Chip”

Peterson and wife Julie and son-in-law, Greg Peterson and wife Leslie; grandchildren: Hunter and Nick

Sidorakis, Hank and Kaycee Peterson, Harper Peterson, Hutch and Kaylin Peterson, Taylor Jake and

Morgan Peterson, and Emma and Kevin Dearing. He is also survived by two great grandchildren: Charlie

and Campbell Sidorakis, as well as one more Peterson great-grandchild on the way.