James Edward Calliham

James Edward Calliham passed away peacefully at home on July 18, 2015, after a brief illness. He was 72 years old. James was being cared for at home by his loving wife, Marty. He was born in Staunton, VA, to the late Phares William Calliham III and the late Mary Reynard Calliham.

James started his education in Memphis, TN, at Christian Brothers High School and graduated from Memphis East High School. Even as a teenager, he was an accomplished artist and photographer. While still in high school, he sold an oil painting of a photographic study he made of a scene in downtown Memphis. He worked for a portrait photography studio and sold cameras. In 1962 when he found himself eligible for the draft, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and was trained as a field photographer. He was first stationed in Hokkaido, Japan, and eventually toured throughout the Asian region during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after one enlistment tour, returned to the United States, and was accepted into the Memphis Academe’ of Art. James then took an opportunity in Amsterdam, Holland, where he interned as a graphic artist for a publishing house earning a Certificate in Graphics. Upon returning to the states he co-owned a photography studio in Memphis, Patterson and Associates. In the years after, he was employed in multiple professions including photographer, graphic designer, locksmith, power plant pollution control specialist, dental lab tech, tax map editor and inker.

In 2000, James completed an Associate of Applied Sciences at Southwest Institute of Technology and worked in electronics manufacturing for Solectron in Austin. When Solectron closed, he became one of the first TSA security officers in Austin while continuing his graphic art as a web designer for multiple businesses. During this time, he also worked with his wife to help create the Peaceful Village Acupuncture Clinic in Austin.

James had a kind and generous spirit that was apparent to all who knew him. He often said that there was little in this life that was worth arguing about. Though he had no children of his own, James was a mesmerizing storyteller and easily made friends with his nieces and nephews. In his personal life, it was not uncommon for him to provide support to friends and neighbors whether it was mowing a neighbor’s lawn, helping to build a porch, or rebuilding an old computer for someone whose child was starting college. He had a keen eye as an artist, and his artwork extended to the design elements of his home such as the patterns he built into a tile floor or a gazebo. As a graphic artist, he built architectural models and websites. In fine art, James completed projects in a wide variety of mediums including oil paint, pastels, photography, and stained glass.

James leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Martha B. Calliham. He is predeceased by his stepmother, the late Sarah G. Calliham. He is survived by his elder brother Phares William Calliham IV and his wife Anita Louise L. Calliham, sister Mary Catherine C. Brady and her husband William D. Brady, brother David W. Calliham and his wife Janet S. Calliham, sister Margaret C. Taylor and her husband Robert Mark Taylor, sister Sallie R. Calliham and her husband Thomas H. Snelham, an uncle Robert Norwood Calliham, an aunt Mary Elizabeth C. Corcelli and her husband Donald Corcelli. He also leaves behind 7 nieces, 3 nephews, 7 great nieces, and 6 great nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be on Friday July 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Friends Meeting of Austin, 3701 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78721.

In lieu of flowers please send donations either to the Friends Meeting of Austin or the Veterans of Foreign Wars.