Col. Calvin J. Washispack (Ret.), 87, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Fort Smith, Arkansas surrounded by his beloved wife and family. He was born October 24, 1938 to Elase and Delta Washispack and grew up in New Iberia, LA.
Survivors include his wife of thirty eight (38) years, Janice Cagle Washispack; two sons, Quentin Washispack and wife, Lisette of Conway, AR and Chris Washispack and wife, Jeanna of New Iberia, LA; two daughters, Celeste Washispack Stout and husband, Dr. Rhett Stout of Baton Rouge, LA and Melissa W. Moreau Miller and husband, John L. Miller of Bossier City, LA; stepson, Deon Conley and wife, Linda of Greenwood, AR; he and Jan combined have twelve grandchildren and twenty eight great grandchildren (twenty boys and eight girls) with another boy on the way. Calvin also has a foster brother, Morris Adams and wife, Janice of Franklin, LA and a foster sister, Susie Adams Motichek (John, deceased) of Mandeville, LA.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Elase Washispack and Delta Leger Washispack; his infant brother, who died at birth; a foster brother, Warren Adams (Lillian) of Iberia Parish, LA and stepdaughter, Sharla Holt, of Pineville, LA.
His family would like to thank his stepson, Deon Conley and his wife, Linda, for caring for him in their home during his illness.
Col. Washispack (Ret.) attended Catholic school until the 8th grade and then attended New Iberia High School and graduated in 1956. Col. Washispack (Ret.) obtained his BA degree through the military from Liberty University in Virginia. He had 44 years of military service in the Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG). He joined the National Guard in August 1954 while still attending high school and his positions included G Company 2nd Battalion 156th Infantry Regiment 39th Infantry Division; HQ 2nd Battalion 156th Infantry in St Martinville LA. He also was member of the E Company 2nd Battalion 1st Battle Group 39th Infantry Division in New Iberia; HQ 2nd Battalion 156th Infantry 256th Infantry Brigade in Abbeville, LA; the 769th Engineering Brigade in Baton Rouge, LA; the 225th Engineering Group, Camp Beauregard, Pineville LA; and HQ 256th Infantry Brigade, in Lafayette, LA.
Col. Washispack (Ret.) served as an Infantry Enlisted member with the ranks of PVT E1 to Master Sergeant E8. He graduated from the Louisiana Officer Candidate School program as a distinguished graduate. He received his commission as Second Lieutenant in the Infantry in September 1965. He then transferred to the Engineering branch in June 1970. His military education included the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses in Ft. Benning GA; the Engineer Officer and Advanced Courses in Ft Belvoir, VA; and the Command General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, KS.
Col. Washispack (Ret.) retired with the rank of Colonel in the Louisiana Army National Guard. His military service included a tour at the National Guard Bureau Headquarters, Washington DC. During his career he led the LANG Officer Candidate School Program from September 1983 to December 1997. He served on several national committees to formulate plans to reorganize the National Guard OCS program in the 1990s which are still in existence today. He served as Chairman of the National Guard School Advisor Council for Region F (LA, AR, MO, IA, NM, TX, OK and NE) and Chairman of the School’s Advisor Council on a National level (which included the 50 States, 3 Territory and DC). He served 14 years in the 199th Regiment (RTILA – Regional Training Institute), formerly known as the Louisiana Military Academy. During his tour with the LANG OCS Program, it became known as one of the best programs in the nation. The LANG OCS program was recognized and awarded with Infantry School “Follow Me Award” for achieving the highest academic average for 3 consecutive years in Ft Benning, GA. After retirement from the military, Col. Washispack (Ret.) worked as a US Government contractor for the National Guard Bureau Headquarters, Washington DC and TRADOC HQ in Ft Eustis, VA until 2021. He was elected to the National Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Ft Benning, GA in April 2026. This ceremony Col. Washispack (Ret.) really enjoyed and it was his last act of service to his country.
Col. Washispack (Ret.) was given numerous military awards and decorations for his service to his country, and was a member of the National Guard Association of the United States, National Guard Association of Louisiana, National Guard Bureau Alumni Association, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Loyal Order of Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles and the American Legion. Col. Washispack (Ret.) was also active with LANG retirees and organized a group containing 600 retirees/former members of the LANG in order that they could maintained communications with each other regarding issues effecting the group. Ret. Col. Washispack was a proud military member and retiree.
Col. Washispack (Ret.) was a devout Catholic and member of Sacred Heart of Mary Parish Catholic Church in Barling, AR. Calvin’s favorite hobby was restoring clocks. He refurbished all types of clocks and enjoyed giving those clocks to his family, friends and charitable organizations for their fund-raising projects. Ret. Col. Washispack and his wife, Jan, loved to travel and did so all the time visiting all his family and friends throughout the United States in their RV then later in their vehicle. Jan was always the designated driver as she loved to drive.
He loved his family and loved visiting with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandpa Calvin loved attending his children and grandchildren's graduations and sporting events. His wife Jan was the love of his life and his best friend. Calvin also loved cooking all his favorite Cajun dishes including his gumbo (with and without okra) and boiling crawfish for all his family and friends. Grandpa Calvin was definitely a “foodie” and believed in education. He was a huge LSU fan and loved taking his children to LSU football games when they were young.
Funeral service with military honors will be 9 a.m. on Monday, October 19 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel, 137 No. Main St., Greenwood, Arkansas with interment to follow at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, 522 Garland Ave., Fort Smith, Arkansas. Dr. Quentin Washispack, his son, will officiate the service. Visitation will begin at 8:30 on Monday before the service.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Adam, Seth Washispack, Ethan Washispack, Cameron Stout, Dr. Ryan Southard and Thomas Hymel. Honorary pallbearers will be Ryan Washispack Spryer, Zack Danyla, Aaron Thibodeaux and Levi Stroud. (Grandpa’s beloved grandsons and grandsons-in-law.)
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Louisiana National Guard Family Readiness Program at www.langfoundation.org/donate
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
