Gerald S Calhoun

Calhoun, Gerald 'Jerry' Scott 99 July 11, 1914 Feb. 23, 2014 Gerald "Jerry" Scott Calhoun was born July 11, 1914, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and passed away Feb. 23, 2014, at 99, of natural causes. Jerry was brought to the United States when he was 1. His mother was Edith Grace Brundage from Nova Scotia. His father was Victor Harry Calhoun from Pennsylvania. His brother, Russell, was born in Portland in August 1915. Jerry attended Gresham grade and High School, graduating in 1933. He went to the University of Oregon and studied physical education and played football from 1933-35. He was a member of the co-championship football team of the West Coast of U.S. Jerry worked at Meier & Frank (M & F) warehouse from 1935-43 and met his future wife, Violet Skagen, an M & F elevator girl. Jerry and Violet were married June 10, 1939, at Central Lutheran Church. Jerry entered the U.S. Army in 1943 at Fort Lewis, Wash., then to Camp Adair where he also sang in a musical called "As You Were." He was in the 41st Division and joined the 741st Ordinance in food service at Biak, New Guinea, in 1944, then on to Mindanao and Zamboanga, Philippines. As a Private Tec-4, his tour of duty ended in Nagasaki, Japan. Jerry returned home Jan. 1, 1946, to meet his daughter, Geraldine (19 months), who was born June 18, 1944, after Jerry left for WWII in May 1944. Nine months later, daughter, Sue, was born. On Jan. 2, 1946, Jerry began work at Sears Roebuck in Portland and Eugene. Violet and Jerry owned three groceries, Calhoun's Grocery on S.E. 45th Avenue and S.E. Johnson Creek Boulevard, Day and Night Grocery in Ardenwald and Rettmans on S.E. 17th Avenue and S.E. Tacoma Street over the years 1951-1964. In between, he worked at M & F in motel furnishings and helped furnish Buxton Hall, Oregon State University and Cosmo Hotel. Jerry returned to M & F in 1966 where he sold carpet until retirement in 1979 and worked part time five years. Jerry joined Milwaukie Kiwanis and was president in 1985. He went to Vienna, Austria, as lieutenant governor for the international convention. He joined Mt. Tabor Masonic Lodge #42 and was secretary for 20 years. He loved going to University of Oregon games and reunions with his Army friends. Jerry sang in the Central Lutheran Choir for 60 years. He cooked many meals at Central, Lodge and Kiwanis. Jerry's work ethic began before 10 years of age, working on the Smith farm in Gresham on property which became Multnomah Fairgrounds. He handled a team of three horses to plant potatoes, wheat, oats and cucumbers. His whole life was centered on his work, church and community service. Jerry's wife, Violet, passed in 2001. He is survived by his daughters, Geraldine (Ed) and Sue (Tom); grandchildren, Gretchen (Jimmy), Meredith, Leah (Jimmy), Katie (Jason), Michael (Katie) and Kara; and great-grandchildren, Grace, Rose, James and Sophie. Gerald's memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Central Lutheran Church on N.E. 21st Avenue and Schuyler Street, Portland. Contributions may be made to Central Lutheran.