James Edwin Callahan, 80, of Winter Garden, FL, passed from this life August 9, 2019. Born November 21, 1938 in Cincinnati, OH, he was the son of the late John Charles and Anna Margaret (Hagen) Callahan. Husband of 56 years to Bonnie Lee (Berlin) Callahan.
Jim graduated from Central Dauphin High School (Class of 1956), in Harrisburg, PA, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, in 1971, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and an MBA from the University of Utah in 1976.
Jim enlisted in the US Air Force in 1956 and served as a Nuclear Weapons Fusing Systems Specialist. In 1960, he earned his commission and pilot wings through the Aviation Cadet Program. He retired in 1986 as a Colonel, after spending more than 30 years in service to his country. During his service in the USAF, he held command positions at the squadron, group and wing levels, as well as a variety of command headquarter positions. He retired as 616th Military Airlift Group Commander while simultaneously serving as DCS Airlift, Alaskan Air Command and Commander Airlift Forces, Alaska. A command pilot, Colonel Callahan accumulated over 8,000 flying hours, primarily in the KB-50 and C-130 aircraft.
After his retirement from the AF, Jim became an International Marketing Manager for the former Sierra Research Company of Buffalo, NY, marketing StationKeeping Equipment (SKE). He retired from that position in 2007 after employment of 20 years.
He was a life member of the Air Force Association (AFA), Military Officer Association of America, Daedalians, Airlift Tanker Association, TAC Tanker Association and Central Dauphin Alumni Association. Of those, he was most active in the AFA where he served in appointed and elected positions at chapter, state, region and national levels.
He is predeceased by his biological parents as well as his step father, Robert Buente, and six of his siblings, John Callahan, Margaret Callahan Burke, George Callahan, Mary Carole Buente Kennedy, and step brothers, Allen Buente, and Walter Buente. Also deceased is his youngest daughter, Capt. Jodi Callahan. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Dr. Jamie Callahan, a sister, Maureen Callahan Hilton (Marcus), sisters-in-law, Lynn Koenig Buente, and Shirley Callahan Seaman, as well as multiple nieces and nephews.
In addition to his flying expertise, Jim was a “Jack-of-All-Trades.” He could fix anything, build houses as well as furniture, repair cars, fix broken toys for his daughters, and untangle jewelry for his wife. May he rest in peace on the wings of God and forever be remembered as a great son, brother, husband, father, and airman.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden on August 31, 2019 from 1:00-3:00pm. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, at a date determined by Arlington. Contributions may be made to his deceased daughter’s memorial scholarship, funding graduate education for AF members at: Capt. Jodi Callahan Scholarship, Air Force Association, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209.
