All knew Fernando as "the Coolest guy in town". However, many people didn't know he was also serious, funny and sensitive. He was always learning. He had a great smile and a hearty laugh. He enjoyed a drink and a party. He enjoyed being the center of a good time. He liked to make funny faces around his family. He cried when his 1st grandchild was born.
He enjoyed watching sports, like the Raiders, and yelling at the TV when his team was doing poorly. When it came to the Raiders vs 49ers, he enjoyed verbal sparring with his wife. He enjoyed talking sports and sharing stats with everyone. He also enjoyed passing on his knowledge to the next generation and those thereafter. When with his children, and especially his grandchildren, he enjoyed the new things they taught him.
He was an engineer who helped design control panels of commercial airplanes like the DC-10; and for the army's amphibious tank, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He also worked on the Livermore power windmills, and for the Stanford Linear Accelerator.
In addition to being an engineer, he was also a small business owner. He ran two restaurant-bars, and a gas station back in San Jose, California — where he spent a majority of his life and supported his family.
Fernando also liked fishing. He would arrange deep sea fishing trips a few times a year for his friends and his children (who were big enough and smart enough "not to fall off the boat").
Fernando also served our country as an Airman Cryptographer in the US Air Force from 1952-1956. He was stationed in Korea.
Fernando is survived by his children: John S Calderon, Maria Calderon-Sanchez, Elizabeth Solin, Michael K. Calderon, Lilly Henderson; and his siblings Rose Tarin; Leonardo Calderon Jr., Bert Calderon.
Fernando also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, T-la Sanchez- Ramirez, K-li Sanchez, Alex Solin, Ben Solin, Z-na Sanchez and 2 great grandchildren Dominic and Peyton Ramirez to cherish his memory.
Fernando was preceded in death by his spouse Guadalupe Calderon; his parents Patrocinio D. Calderon and Leonardo Calderon; and his siblings Elena Chavez; Miguel Calderon; Armando Calderon; Teresa Calderon.
Visitation for Fernando will be held Tuesday May 10, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The Vigil Service will be at 10:30 AM at Funeraria del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79903. Funeral Mass will follow at 12:30 PM at Guardian Angel Church, 3021 Frutas Ave., El Paso, TX, 79905. Committal Service to follow at 2:00 PM at Ft Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave., El Paso, TX, 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Calderon family.
