John Henry Calvert Sr.

John Henry Calvert was born in Sprague, Washington to parents George Henry and Lorine Eva (Hobbs) Calvert on March 19, 1928. He was brother to Jane. John was raised in a logging family and much of his youth was spent in northern Idaho in Cataldo and in a logging camp in Fourth of July Canyon nearby. Growing up in a logging family was the beginning of a life of hard work and great rewards for John. John had many special memories of his time in Idaho – he recalled his mother always cooking food for the men at the logging camps. He adopted a stray dog and loved that animal dearly. From early in his life, John had a great love and respect for animals and that dog was the first of a lifetime of countless pet companions.

When John was 16, his family moved to the Portland area and John attended and graduated from Jefferson High School. During that time, he developed a passion for the sport of boxing. He continued as a dedicated worker and student and performed several odd jobs. Following graduation from Jefferson High School, John, along with a close friend, went on to serve as a Merchant Marine. John worked on cargo ships during the war in the Bahamas and Japan. After two years of service as a Merchant Marine, John made his way to port in New York City where he pursued boxing and ultimately fought in Golden Gloves events from 1946-1948. The boxing era was a highlight of John’s life and he had many recollections and fond stories from that brief period.

After his time as a boxer he returned to the Portland area to begin a new chapter in his life story. In Portland, John began John H. Calvert Landscaping Co. and a lifelong career as a contractor. To support his young family, he also worked various jobs at different times in addition to landscaping and contracting. John was a maintenance engineer at Kaiser Hospital, at another point, he was a night watchman, he worked in the woolen mills, and at a meat packing plant. For a time, John also owned a wrecking yard. He was a loving father and a great provider to his daughters Karen, Donna, Barbara, Joan and Kathy and his son, John Jr. The early family home was on Oswego street in North Portland, later moving to their home on Macrum street also in North Portland. The Macrum home was on a field of land and they had horses that John rode with the Shriner's Mounted Patrol however the kids preferred to race the horses to the far corners of the property.

John was an honored and proud member of the Doric Masonic Lodge and Al Kader Shrine. For many years John was captain of the Al Kader Shriners Mounted Patrol and participated in Portland Rose Parade He was very active in the Shriners. John was engaged in caring for his community by supporting the Shriners Hospital for Children, and Mustangs Unlimited.

In 1988, John married Jean Graham in Vancouver, Washington. Jean was also a loyal member of the Shriners and the two met at a Shriners event. For 27 wonderful years, John and Jean lived a very active, fulfilling, and magical life together. They were involved in Shriners together and went on countless trips to the coast to be together near the ocean. Their biggest shared passion was animals. The two bred and raised dozens of champion Cavalier King Charles spaniel show dogs together. At one point, they had 15 Cavaliers in their care at the same time. They also loved and cared for German Shepherds, Great Danes and Cats to name a few. John also had a Rooster for a personal friend who would "carry on" with him every day.

John was a hard worker, but he always made time to have fun and recreate. He enjoyed the outdoors –especially hunting, river rafting down the snake River, and deep sea salmon fishing at Ilwaco, WA. He also enjoyed motorcycles, airplanes, guns and reloading his own ammo, trail riding with his horses, antique cars, gardening, and cribbage.

It has been said that John was a “man of all trades”. John liked to build things with his hands, He was very accomplished welder, cabinet maker, woodworker, and skilled craftsman.

John will be remembered as a man who had a heart for fun and as someone who loved life. He loved to laugh and could at times be a bit of a prankster. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife Jean, sister Jane Bogus, daughters, Karen Calvert-Locascio, Donna Bucy (Rik), Barbara Humphrey (Alan), Joan Tenderella, son John Calvert Jr., 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

A celebration of John's life, Masonic ceremony, and committal ceremony will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Skyline Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Or. There will be a reception following the services at John and Jean's home.

Remembrances may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the charitable organization of your choice.