Oswald Darrell Callahan was born March 15, 1926 in Wise County, Virginia, son of Charles M. Callahan and Lela Hackler Callahan.
Although he was born in Virginia, Ozzie was raised in Florida, where his parents moved when he was just a child. As soon as Ozzie turned eighteen, he was drafted into the US Army where he served his country in the last years of WWII. Although he was released from the Army after WWII, finding work was so difficult that he re-enlisted in the Army where he served in the Korean War and the Cold War for over 20 years. After his Army discharge in 1965, he was hired by the US Postal Service where he worked for twenty-six years.
He was an animal lover, owning several canine pets over the years. When El Paso's Desert Turtles started taking over his back yard, he fed, watered, and nourished them until they numbered well over a hundred. He named many of them, and talked to them as if they were puppies.
About the time Ozzie retired from the USPS, he had the opportunity to learn the Bass Guitar. He accepted the challenge, practiced diligently, and within a period of a few weeks, he was playing Bass with a couple of Guitar Players near his own age. Within 6 months the three had attracted a singer, thus Ozzie became a founding member of the Rainbow Band. It was an amateur group but they played often on the “Coffee and Cake Circuit”. The objective was Fun and Fellowship, but occasionally they were paid enough to take the wives out for dinner. Twice over a quarter of a century the Band Members moved away, or died. Each time the Band was re-organized and the name was changed. The Rainbow Band, which had grown to 6 members, became the Friendship Band in 2009. It grew to 8 members. In 2012, due to moves and death, The Friendship Band became the 4F-Band (4-Friends), with only 2 guitars, a Harmonica, and Bass. Ozzie played with all three groups for a total of 25 years, until his declining health forced him to give it up. The Band's Fun and Fellowship objective was certainly achieved, in performing at Yard, and Church Parties, Senior and Nursing Homes, Veterans homes, Good Sam Clubs, and Sambourees.
Ozzie was sorely Missed in the band. Now he is both Missed and Grieved, but he will always be remembered.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Christine, Delphine, and, Kavalla, his brother, Dean,
and by his late wife, Janet.
Ozzie is survived by his loving wife of several years, Alicia Romo Callahan, and stepsons, Christian, & Ulysses, sister, Portia Nishi, and brother Ted Callahan (Ernestine), daughters Annette and Janice,
and grandchildren: Kelsey, Meghan, & Melanie, two great granddaughters, nieces and nephews and friends.
A visitation for Oswald will be held Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel Restlawn, 8817 Dyer Street, El Paso, Texas 79904. Following the visitation there will be a graveside service at 2:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79906. (Livestream through facebook at https://www.facebook.com/270375139754347)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelKM.com for the Callahan family.
