John "Jack" Saxon Callahan

John (Jack) Saxon Callahan passed on peacefully, surrounded by family on Sunday, February 27th. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and mentor.

Jack was born on March 24, 1925 at home, the son of a coal miner, in a company house in Woodside, Pennsylvania. At a young age, his mother, who was quite ill, decided it was best to take Jack and his brother Jim back to England so she could be with her family. Soon after arriving in England, Jack’s mother passed on. Jack and his brother were put on a ship and sent back across the Atlantic Ocean to Pennsylvania to live with their aunt and uncle. This was the beginning of circumstances that led to Jack’s strong will and determination from a young age.

At seventeen and still in high school he volunteered for the Navy wanting to do his part in World War II. He was immediately accepted and soon went through basic training and then further schooling. He was assigned to Norfolk, Virginia and went to work on installing and training operators to detect enemy submarines. He became Radioman First Class, an emerging technology at that time. He was assigned to many locations throughout the fleet heading up a team of technicians. The results of that work were considered successful and effective in the war effort.

After the war Jack and his brother Jim moved to San Diego following their aunt and uncle, who had become their parents through adoption. Their parents had relocated out West to San Diego during the war. Not long after, while on assignment with the phone company he met the love of his life, Frances Callahan in El Centro, California. He was working on a switchboard where Frances was assigned, and she loved to tell us the story of when he opened up the switchboard cover below her station, she saw his handsome and smiling face. She fell in love with Jack, and Jack with her, and only six months later there was a wedding in Yuma, Arizona. They were married for sixty years with only Fran’s passing bringing it to an end, true to their marriage vows.

They were gifted with four sons while Jack was working for an aeronautical company called Bill Jack Industries in Solana Beach. The company did a wide variety of defense projects focusing on cutting edge technologies of the time like electronics, plastics, fiberglass and polyurethane. They made the first high altitude and space helmets for the Mercury and early Apollo missions. Jack enjoyed working with the pilots and astronauts, supplying their helmets and other needed components.

In 1965 at the age of forty, he realized his lifelong dream and started Cal-Mil Plastic Products in Solana Beach by purchasing the plastics division that he had been managing at Bill Jack Industries. Jack led the business on a long path of success with assistance of many loyal workers at his side. At one time Jack had all four of his sons working with him and today his youngest Johnny is heading up the company. Cal-Mil always held such a special place in his heart. He had dreamed it until his dreams became reality.

He retired at the age of 77 to take care of his beautiful bride in her declining health. He started writing books when he turned 80 and has written 13 of them since!

In his first book called “My Slice of Life” he said, “Seldom in life has a man been able to enjoy the many pure pleasures that I have been fortunate enough to experience. I do believe my life has been filled with love from many people that I have absorbed like a sponge. My Slice of Life is more than just a slice. It’s the whole ENCHILADA!”

If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Jack, you know he was always there to offer advice and help if he could. He was so proud of his entire family and always worked to keep everyone together through the ups and downs that life presents.

Jack was raised as a Catholic and brought his boys up faithfully in the church believing that knowing God is our most important purpose and calling in life. For the past twenty years he has been a member of San Diego Branch Church, finding a personal relationship with Jesus Christ alongside his fellow believers. Our hope as believers in Christ is that we will all be united with Jesus and all those that have gone before us believing in Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the entire Callahan family, we are deeply grateful for your prayers and support. Jack was such a special man, and his impact will be seen for generations to come.

He was preceded in death by Frances his wife of 60 years and two of his sons David & James.

He was the father of four sons: David, Barney, James, & Johnny.

Father-in Law to Terry (Barney) and Michelle (Johnny).

He was grandfather to Calley, Randi, Zach, Kristen, Ashley, Joel, Josh, John, Tyler, Julia, Audrey, Casey, and Bradley.

He was great-grandfather to Sabrina, Madison, Lorelai, Ethan, Addison, Cameron, Jaya, Rowan, Gabriel, Owen, Olivia, Ezekiel, Annabel, Chancelor, Henry, Thomas, Michael, and Ava.