Born on March 7, 1936, Calvin was the youngest of four children of George Washington Self and Dora Marie Green. He is now reunited with his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Margaret, whom he loved with his whole being. He was also preceded in death by his son, Steve Self, and his grandsons, Jeff Self and Kevin Self.
He is survived by his son, Marty (Jackie) Self; daughter-in-law, Darlene Self; granddaughters, Sarah Hulcy and Carrie Self; and four great-grandchildren.
Calvin was a man of boundless energy, determination, and curiosity. Though his childhood was not an easy one, he built a life defined by hard work and a passion for learning. He completed drafting school with a specialty in blueprint reading, worked his way through the ranks of the Machine Operators Guild in Detroit, Michigan, retiring having been lead superintendent in charge of hundreds of major projects, and later owned and operated a business building above-ground swimming pools for 26 years.
A lifelong adventurer, Calvin built and flew his own airplane as a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, much to Margaret's chagrin. He traveled extensively throughout the world and, later in life, discovered a love for e-biking, exploring trails across the United States. He enjoyed tinkering, embracing new technology, and growing vegetables in his garden.
Calvin was also a faithful and active member of Faith Baptist Church in Pinson, where he devoted himself to his faith and church family who will miss him dearly.
Those who knew Calvin will remember his gentle patience, unwavering kindness, and generous spirit. He quietly helped anyone in need without seeking recognition. A lifelong learner and teacher, he loved sharing his "gray-haired wisdom" with his family and encouraging others to remain curious about the world around them.
Calvin leaves behind a legacy of hard work, resilience, grit, and an enduring enthusiasm for life. His love of learning, discovery, family, and faith touched countless lives and made each one better for having known him.
He will be greatly missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.
Visitation will be held at Ridout's Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235, US, on August 6, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
A Committal Service will take place at Jefferson Memorial Trussville, Al, 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235, US, on August 6, 2026, from 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm.
