John David Calder Jr.

John Calder Obituary

John David Calder, Jr.
LUCIA -- Mr. Calder, 30, died Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at his home. Mr. Calder was born in Charlotte on April 4, 1973 to John David and Erena Brookshire Calder of Lucia. He was a grandson of the late John Nicholls, Jr. and Harriet Henkle Calder, and John Nelson and Nell Jarvis Brookshire. He was a firefighter who began his career at age 16 and became Fire Chief of the Mt. Holly Fire Department in 2003. In December of 2003 he was the recipient of the Mt. Holly Fire and Rescue Firefighter of the Year Award. He was a member of Central Church of God, Charlotte, NC.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Calder is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Amy C. and Scott Henson, Lucia; nieces, Anna, Mary Beth, Jane and Emma Henson, all of Lucia; aunts and uncles, Cassie and Tony McConnell, Denver, Patty and JB Coffey, Bowling Green, FL, Nelson and Sue Ellen Brookshire, Douglas and Regina Brookshire, Lenoir, and Janet and Mac Atwood, Wilkesboro; and numerous cousins.
The funeral service will be held 1 PM Saturday, January 24, 2004 in the Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors, Gastonia, with Reverends Debbie Sebring and Gene Shelton officiating. Interment will follow the service at Old Snow Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery, currently known as New Covenant Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM tonight at McLean Funeral Directors, Gastonia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar St., Lincolnton, NC 28092; Central Church of God, Missions Fund, 5301 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270; or Mt. Holly Fire and Rescue Auxiliary, PO Box 387, Mt. Holly, NC 28120.
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Calder family.

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Published by Charlotte Observer on Jan. 23, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for John Calder

7 Entries

Nathan Atwood

January 29, 2004

When I think about John David, what he went through and how he handled his circumstance, I think of what our Lord and Savior said in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven". I was greatly moved to read the entry by Vickie S. Bowers. I know that John David's desire was that, through his affliction and through his testimony, someone would see Jesus for the first time, and would give their heart to Him. I'm thankful for John David, and thankful for his salvation. I'm praying for Erena, David, Amy, Scott and the girls and trust that "the peace of God that passes all understanding shall continue to keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" - Philippians 4:7.

Vickie S. Bowers

January 23, 2004

John David Calder, a man who had a profound effect on me. I never once met him face to face. Through his mother Erena, I learned of a man whose faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ was solid. A man whose strength to LIVE his life to the fullest no matter what he faced was amazing. He was a true testament of the power of God. Through his testament I was born again and now walk with God daily. I will never forget the man I never met.

Judy Starnes-Thompson

January 23, 2004

I was saddened to read of the passing of John David Calder, Jr. in the Observer. My mother, Gladys Allen Starnes, was reared in Lucia and always spoke of the Henkle and Calder families with great love and respect. She always held a special place in her heart for John David Calder, Sr. and I pray that the Lord will give him peace at this time. I also pray for Nelson and Sue Ellen Brookshire who have given so much to this community, and I grieve for their loss as well.

teresa herman

January 23, 2004

I love all of you and know that you cared for him the very best you could. It has been a long battle. He was very brave. He touched many lives with his kindness and humor. You have many wonderful memories I am sure. His faith was strong. Our thoughts are with you, Love, Teresa

Mitchell and Yvonne Merck

January 23, 2004

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We don't know you personally but know Tony and Cassie.

May the love and comfort of God strength you at this time.

Shawn Downs

January 23, 2004

Calder Family,

I send my condolences during this trying time. God Bless each of you and may you find comfort in fond memories.

Steve Grigg

January 23, 2004

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to John David Calder's family in the loss of such a fine young man. I have known John David for most of his life and can truthfully say that a finer person would be difficult to find. John David was in a church youth group that my wife and I taught for several years when he was in his late teens. He was then and continued to be a wonderful role model for the other youth in the group. I was also assistant softball coach to John David's great uncle for a church softball team on which John David was a team member. At one practice, the coach had a heart attack while pitching batting practice. His heart had stopped and he was not breathing. John David and another young man on the team, having had training in CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation, took charge and brought the coach back to consciousness and attended him until the paramedics arrived.

Even though it seems that John David had a short life on this earth, and he had to endure a tremendous trial, his family can be assured that God doesn't make mistakes and that John David will be rewarded for the service he rendered to his community. They can also be very proud that they reared such a fine christian young man.

John David and Erena, keep the faith, and I know you will. Spend all the time you can with those four precious little granddaughters.

Your neighbors, friends, christian brothers & sisters, and co-worker.

Love, Steve & Linda Grigg

303 Killian Road

Stanley, NC 28164