Loren Malcolm Calkin

While a youth, he developed a lifelong attraction for railroads and specifically for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He had fond memories of exciting escapades on PRR rides with pals from Scranton to New York City, and for many years he visited railroad stations around the country to watch the arrival and departure of steam locomotives. He spent a lifetime reading about railroads, especially the Pennsylvania. He also often reminisced about his family’s bungalow on West Mountain where he spent exuberant summers with his parents and adored older brother, Ken. Other of his memories included thoughts of Calkin Creek, where he caught bass and cat fish, and the Delaware River where he often fished with his Dad, a building contractor responsible for numerous Scranton structures.

He graduated from Scranton’s Dunmore High in 1928 and Scranton Lackawanna Business College in 1929. Mr. Calkin’s entire business career, from 1930 – 1972, was spent with General Adjustment Bureau. He began his GAB employment in Scranton before he was transferred to Albany, New York, where he met and married the love of his life, Edith Garrison. After their August 31, 1937, wedding, they started their married life in Washington, D.C., where their first two children, Allan and Mary, were born. Precipitated by health issues, they moved to Texas, first to Abilene before being assigned to San Angelo in 1945, where he served as GAB Business Services, Inc. Branch Manager and where their son John was born.

As a couple, they were active members of Methodist churches in Washington, Abilene, San Angelo and Victoria. At San Angelo’s First United Methodist, they held numerous leadership positions, including being College Youth Sponsors and the founders and many year sponsors of the Seniors Fridays. In addition to terms on the Board of Trustees, they were longtime members of the Friendship Sunday School Class.

Before their 1999 move to Victoria, Loren and Edith had a great group of friends with whom they shared a large variety of activities and events during their 55 years as San Angeloans. Loren served as an officer of the West Angelo Kiwanis Club, Concho Valley Stamp Club, Knights of the Round Table and the San Angelo Photography Club. Through the years he received numerous awards for his outstanding photography, of Texas wildflowers and sites from the couple’s travels to all fifty U.S. states, Canada and England. A 20--year volunteer for the American Red Cross, Mr. Calkin was twice honored as Volunteer of the Year. He had a brilliant mind and passion for history.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Calkin Logan and husband Richard of Victoria; son, John David Calkin and partner Tom of Austin; granddaughter, Ashley Logan Drews, M.D. and husband Karl of Houston; grandson, Austin Lewis Logan and wife Sandy of East Bernard; great-granddaughters, Katherine Elizabeth Drews, Amy Logan Drews and Emma Lynn Logan; and nieces and nephew.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Edith Garrison Calkin; his son, Allan Garrison Calkin; and his brother Kenneth N. Calkin. His family expresses sincere thanks to Dr. Mehran Nezhad and to his loving, compassionate caregivers at Joyce’s TLC Assisted Living.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at Rosewood Funeral Home, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria.

Graveside services will be at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo on Monday, March 7, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to John Wesley United Methodist Church, 8300 N. Zac Lentz Parkway, Victoria, TX 77904 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rosewood Funeral Chapels, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, 77904, 361/573-4546.