Lt. Col. Richard John Callahan

1931 - 2022

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Richard John Callahan (Dick) died peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 23, 2022.

Dick was born to John Henry Callahan and Anna Rosa Maksimowicz in Saginaw Michigan on September 19, 1931. His love of family, faith and country were instilled in him at a young age. In 1951, after high school, Dick enlisted in the United States Air Force at the start of the Korean War. Dick entered pilot training school and soon received his commission as a Reconnaissance pilot. He was assigned to Korea and then later transferred to Japan. Upon returning to the United States in 1957 Dick joined the Strategic Air Command and was chosen for the very selective U-2 program. He was assigned to Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas and it was here that he would meet his would-be wife, Second Lieutenant Nurse Sharon Lucille Sammons. As Dick once said, "Really something for a Yankee from Michigan and a Southerner from Georgia to be married in Texas." Soon followed three daughters, Cindy, Mary, and Molly. Moving throughout the country on several assignments, Dick would also finish his college degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Omaha while still flying many missions as a U-2 pilot. In 1973, Dick retired after 21 years and 20 days of service to his country.

Realizing their love of Texas and warm weather, Dick and Sharon decided to return to Del Rio where he began his second career at The Del Rio Bank and Trust. He always put his family and faith above everything else and immersed himself in his girls' activities and in his Del Rio community. His dedication to his Catholic faith was evident in his daily life and he served in many leadership positions and volunteer roles with his church. An avid golfer, hunter, fisherman, Dick had many friends and he and Sharon enjoyed an active social life. Dick and Sharon always stayed in touch with military friends and enjoyed traveling across the globe. After 20 years in the banking business, Dick retired, and he and Sharon moved to their final home in San Antonio. Dick will be remembered as devoted husband and selfless father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Richard was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Sharon; his parents Anna and John Callahan. He is survived by his children, Cynthia Rohde and her husband William, Mary Potts and her husband Steve, Molly Renaud and her husband Todd; his sisters Patricia Michalski and Mary Callahan; his brother James Callahan; his grandchildren Meaghan Schmidt and her husband James, Cal Rohde and his wife Melanie, Jack Renaud, Grace Renaud; great granddaughters Piper and Sadie Schmidt: and many Callahan and Sammons family members.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the caregivers and nurses from AA Services and Amedisys Hospice for their care and empathy given to him during his last days.

Private family services will be held. If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Dicks memory, please consider the Wounded Warrior Project - woundedwarriorproject.org or Wreaths Across America - wreathsacrossamerica.org.