Marcus Garvey Calahan

On Monday, June 2, 2025, Marcus Garvey Calahan peacefully answered our Heavenly Father’s call, leaving behind the cares of this world and stepping into eternal rest. Born on February 5, 1971, in Tyler, Texas, Marcus was lovingly adopted shortly after birth by Horace E. and Roberta P. Coleman Calahan, (deceased) joining their family with daughters Collette E. and Debra W.

Marcus began his education in private schools through the seventh grade before choosing to attend public school at O Henry Middle School for eighth grade and McCallum High School for ninth grade. He later transferred to the Science Academy at LBJ High School, where he graduated with honors in 1988, receiving multiple academic scholarships.

Marcus continued his education at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in History, along with a minor in Business Administration. He further pursued continuing education courses in computer science and technology to expand his professional skill set.

After graduation, Marcus settled in Dallas and worked various jobs before securing a position at Thompson & Knight LLP as a DPS Shift Supervisor/DPS Operator. In 2006, he was transferred to the firm's Houston office, where he served as Trainer and Document Production Supervisor. In 2021, he relocated to New York as an IT Regional Trainer for the Northeast Region with the same firm, now Thompson & Knight LLP/Holland & Knight LLP. When his health declined, Marcus transitioned to a role that allowed him to work remotely as a Word Processing Operator for Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz LLP in 2024.

Marcus was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. G.V. Clark. He was an active participant in the children's ministry, Cub and Boy Scouts, and excelled in Scripture Memory competitions through the St. John’s Association. He also participated in the Austin Junior City-Wide Youth ministry and was involved in Jack and Jill of America, Austin Chapter, where he was presented in their biennial Beautillion Ball.

Marcus was a confident, fearless individual who embraced his identity with pride and strength. Never intimidated by being the only person of color in the room, he carried himself with dignity and assurance. An engaging conversationalist and lifelong learner, Marcus loved the arts and actively volunteered in theater productions while living in Houston.

He had an incredible memory and became the family’s go-to historian. One of his greatest joys was achieving his dream of living in New York, a city he had long admired.

A passionate traveler, Marcus explored destinations across the United States and Canada a place that held a special place in his heart and where he made many cherished memories and friendships. He had a gift for connecting with family members wherever he went, proudly serving as a family ambassador. He also had a deep interest in genealogy and was actively researching the Calahan, Cranford, and Bisco family history through Ancestry.

Marcus was an avid sports enthusiast with season tickets to his favorite baseball, football, soccer, and hockey teams. He frequently shared photos from games, offering his loved one’s glimpses of his experiences. Since 2020, Marcus made it a priority to join the family Zoom call every Sunday at 7:00 p.m., a cherished tradition filled with laughter, updates, prayer, and expressions of love.

Family meant everything to Marcus. He delighted in surprising his parents and siblings with thoughtful visits and looked forward to spending Christmas together. One of the family’s most treasured memories is Christmas 2024, when Marcus surprised everyone by flying into Dallas on Christmas morning. Despite ongoing treatments, he made it just in time for the family gathering before returning to New York for care—a final, beautiful holiday together.

Marcus was a man of many passions. A tech-savvy professional, he was also a natural teacher who enjoyed sharing his knowledge of technology with friends and colleagues alike. He will be remembered for his unwavering kindness, brilliant mind, warm smile, and the way he touched so many lives with his generous spirit. He was truly one of a kind, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Marcus leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted father, Pastor Horace Ed Calahan; two sisters: Collette Elaine Laday (the late Marcus Keith) of Dallas, TX, and Debra Ward Love (Howard) of Rialto, CA; one beloved niece, Simone R. Laday Alexander (Nehemiah) of Austin, TX; three nephews: Ryan Keith Laday of Dallas, TX; Brian Love of Cerritos, CA; and Brenton Love of Rialto, CA; and one cherished great-niece, Nolan Monet Alexander of Austin, TX. He is also survived by an aunt, Cynthia Coleman (the late Robert) of Pico Rivera, CA; two uncles: Harlen J. Calahan (Renee) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Terry C. Calahan (Sheron) of Camden, AR; along with numerous other relatives, spiritual brothers and sisters, and dear friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 pm on Sunday, June 22, 2025, with a homegoing celebration for Marcus following at 2:00 p.m. in the Walden Room of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery. Following the graveside, a reception will be held in the Capitol Room of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home

~ A Final Tribute to Marcus from His Father ~

MY ONLY SON…

M – MEMORABLE, a good memory about details

A – APPRECIATIVE about life the ups and downs, ADVENTEROUS to try new things and go new places, some have said you were an Angel

R – RELIABLE

C – CARING, CONCERN AND CHEERFUL

U – UNDERSTANABLE AND UNASSUMING a very UNIQUE personality

S – SINCERE, SELFLESS

G – GIVING, GENUINE

A – ACCOUNTABLE to do the right thing and ADVENTEROUS about new things

R – RELATIBLE

V – VERSATILE

E – EXPLORABLE, ENJOYABLE

Y – YEARNING TO SEE NEW THINGS

~ INTRODUCTION ~

Marcus my only son was a very special son. Growing up he never was a problem and took personal responsibility serious the do’s and don’t list we had schooled him on. Very inquisitive about a lot of things and asked many questions about this and that. Marcus, my only son was my heart.

~ REFLECTION ~

So many times as I was driving, just the two of us, he was very observant about my driving and observant to the law. While getting ready to graduate, I told him we needed to sign him up for driving school. He replied, “Not yet dad, I will let you know when I am ready.” I keep pushing the issue of him needing to know how to drive to his reply “Not yet dad I will let you know when I am ready.” Besides, I don’t need to drive on campus, I have my bicycle for that.”

During Christmas break, he called me and said, “I’m ready”, my response, “for what?” “Driving.” Okay, I see If I can get you signed up for driving school. I called and immediately got him signed in for driving school during the Christmas break. One or two days later of driving school, Marcus called me at work and said, “I took the written test and driving test and got my license. I told you dad, when I am ready.”

~ His Favorite Scripture Text ~

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

~ MY ONLY SON ~

We gathered at the service to honor the life of my beloved only son, Marcus — a soul full of light, love, and unwavering kindness. Marcus wasn’t just my Only Son; he was a gift from God, and every moment we had with him was a blessing.

Marcus Garvey Calahan, my only son, I am so proud to have had you as our son and in my life. We were blessed to have such a handsome, intelligent, adventurous, grounded, compassionate, caring, thoughtful, loving and successful man.

Marcus lived these words from Proverbs every day. He trusted deeply, even when life brought challenges. He walked with faith, with joy, and with love. He never needed to boast, because his actions spoke for him — in every thoughtful check-in (every Wednesday – “Hi dad, just checking in to see how things are going”), every shared moment, and every selfless act.

One of his co-workers said, Marcus was brilliant, kind, and endlessly selfless. He had a cheerful demeanor that lifted the spirits of everyone around him, and a heart that was always open and ready to help, ready to listen, and ready to love. He lived with quiet strength and a deep sense of compassion that left a lasting presence that he had been there.

Marcus was a passionate traveler, full of curiosity and wonder for the world around him. He explored destinations across the United States and Canada — a country that held a special place in his heart. There, he made unforgettable memories and lasting friendships.

Wherever he went, he connected with family, often serving proudly as our family ambassador — uniting relatives across distance and generations.

His interest in genealogy was just another reflection of his deep love for family. He spent countless hours researching the Calahan, Cranford, and Bisco family histories — not just uncovering facts but weaving a legacy that connected our past to our present.

He even visited cemeteries to match his findings. His work was a gift to all of us. Son, your inquisitiveness about family history was truly amazing — you followed every lead and explored every branch of our family's roots with passion and dedication.

Marcus also had a deep passion for sports. He held season tickets to his favorite baseball, football, soccer, and hockey teams (US and Canada), and he loved sharing those moments with others. Whether through photos or excited stories, he made sure we all got a glimpse of his joy.

My Only Son didn’t play in all of the sports he admired but no one was a bigger fan than him, with knowledge of the players, the ins and outs of the games, and he could hold his own in discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each team, coaches, etc.

Since 2020, every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. was family time via Zoom, Marcus made it a priority to join the family Zoom call wherever he was traveling, stopping and joining in from his car— a sacred tradition of laughter, updates, prayer, and expressions of love.

Those calls meant the world to him — and to all of us. They are now a cherished reminder of the love and unity he helped cultivate. Your physical presence will be missed, my only son, but we will enjoy your spiritual presence.

And though we cannot understand why he had to leave us so soon, we cling to the promise of his favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5–6:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

We trust the Lord with all our hearts.

We lean not on our own understanding.

We acknowledge God even in our sorrow, and we trust that Marcus’s path — though now beyond our sight — was divinely guided, just as his life was divinely lived.

Marcus, my only son, your path led you to touch hearts, to connect family, and to leave a legacy that will live on far beyond our tears.

Rest well, my sweet, sweet son. We love you endlessly. We Love you, My Only Son.

We took you to your final resting place, where your aunt Juanita is waiting with open arms for her Marcus.

God Bless You, My Only Son...Love, Dad