Thomas M. Calder

Thomas McMillan Calder went to his heavenly home on July 11th, 2016. His parents Thomas M. Calder Sr. and Rosa Rauch Calder, and his brother George Calder preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 73 years Maxine Merritt Calder, and his daughter Kimber Lee Calder-Isgrig and her husband Mike Isgrig. Three grandchildren survive him also: Reveille Rose Isgrig, Zeke Isgrig and Ali Isgrig-Beasley, as well as two great-grandchildren. Tom Calder was a World War II battle veteran and a patriot. He graduated from Little Rock High School in June of 1940 and joined the U.S. Navy December 16th, 1940. Tom served on the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8) from its launch to its sinking during the battle of Santa Cruz. When Doolittle flew his B-25 off the deck of the Hornet to bomb Tokyo, Tom Calder was there. When the United States sank four Japanese aircraft carriers at the Battle of Midway, Tom Calder was there. Tom Calder was at Guadalcanal, the Solomen Islands and Santa Cruz. He spent eight hours in the Pacific Ocean watching Japanese dive-bombers and kamikazes destroy the Hornet. In the process, he became a ‘shellback’ and was awarded the American Ribbon, Good Conduct medal, American Defense Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with Silver and two Bronze Service Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. Tom was a master plumber, craftsmen and teacher. It is rumored that he learned his craft when pipes were still made of wood. He served on the State Plumbing Board and taught apprentice plumbers in Little Rock for over fifty years. He was a member of the Master Plumber Association, the American Legion, the Razorback Fan Club and the Lutheran Layman’s League. More than anything Tom Calder was a man of God. His fellow WWII veteran John Yancey always referred to Tom as “The Deacon.” He was a parishioner of the First Lutheran Church his entire life. He served the church as President of the Congregation, Treasurer and Elder. He was a youth counselor with the Walther League for fifteen years and taught Sunday school for over sixty-five years. Tom Calder was truly a paragon of the Greatest Generation. He lived his faith. He treated everyone fairly, honestly, and righteously. He was a Christian who lived in judgment of no one and served as an example to all. Little Rock, the world, has lost a beautiful soul and the Lord has brought one home. “Well done, Tom, my good and faithful servant.” Visitation will be held Friday, July 15, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Forest Hills Funeral Home, 10200 Hwy 5 N Alexander, AR 72002. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR on 8th and Rock Street at 10 a.m. with burial following at Forest Hills Memorial Park. The family asks that memorials be made to First Lutheran Church. An online guest book is available at www.griffinleggettforesthills.com