Cal CHRISTENSEN

CHRISTENSEN Cal A loyal friend, a loving father and a faithful husband, Cal Christensen, will always be remembered and cherished by those who loved him. Cal was born on June 6, 1927, to Lawrence and Tinnie Christensen in Toledo, Ohio. As a boy, his first regular job was delivering the Toledo Blade. Later, he worked summers at Champion Spark Plug and the Toledo Parks Department. It was during his junior year at Macomber High School that Cal was introduced to the game of basketball. He loved the game and worked hard to acquire the skills that led him to make the All City Team the following year. Cal graduated from Macomber High School in 1945 and was drafted into the army later that year. After his discharge in late 1946, he began attending the University of Toledo in January 1947. Though he arrived in mid-season, Cal made the basketball team and played all of the remaining games of that season. Cal played basketball for UT from 1947-50, later being amongst the first inductees into the UT Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. After college, Cal was a fifth round draft pick and started his professional basketball career playing for the Tri-City Blackhawks. Later he played for the Milwaukee Hawks and the Rochester Royals. All told, he played professional basketball from 1950-1955. Cal also traveled through many countries and 49 of the 50 United States playing for the Washington Generals, the team that plays against the Harlem Globetrotters. Following his basketball career, Cal worked for over 25 years for Johns-Manville. In 1960, Cal married Sharon (McGinnis) in Defiance, Ohio. They raised 3 children and made their family home in Waterville, Ohio. Cal was a loyal friend who maintained many of his friendships from his high school years up until his death. He always had warm affection for his only sibling and beloved brother Donald Christensen. Cal had deep love for his children and grandchildren. He was a father who enjoyed spending time with his family, always planning vacations and day-trips for the kids. Those precious moments made many lasting memories. Cal is survived by his wife of 51 years - Sharon; his children - Lynette, Cassandra and Lars; his grandchildren - Rachael and Greg Schimmel, Richard Morris, Todd Leonard, and Audrey and Arshia Barlumi; and Carys Christensen; and great-grandson Brady Schimmel; as well as his brother Donald Christensen and wife Pearl; niece Debra Mens and nephews Andrew and John Christensen along with their families. Visitation will begin Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12 noon at Peinert Funeral Home, 7220 Dutch Rd. Waterville, OH. Interment will follow at Wakeman Cemetery, Waterville, OH. To leave an online condolence please visit www.peinertfuneralhome.com