John Calhoun

John Pierce Calhoun CHARLOTTE - John Pierce Calhoun (Jack) of Charlotte, North Carolina, died peacefully surrounded by his children on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. He was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina, on November 18, 1926, the son of Alleyne Griffin Calhoun and John Nathaniel Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun spent his childhood years in Greenwood and Batesburg, South Carolina, before moving to Sumter, South Carolina, where he graduated from Edmonds High School in 1944. After a year at Clemson University, he served in the US Army for 26 months, during which time he attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the US Army specialized training program. He was discharged from the Army in June 1946, returning to Clemson University where he received a BS degree in Civil Engineering in 1948. During his business career, he graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Mr. Calhoun married Paula Frederick Whitaker of Kinston, North Carolina, on June 26, 1954. Employed by Rexnord Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he held company positions in various locations throughout the United States. He moved to Milwaukee in 1974, serving in management, and became Chairman and CEO of Rexnord Inc. After 35 years with the company, he retired in 1990. Over his career, Mr. Calhoun served on church, bank, and civic boards and industry associations. Upon moving to Charlotte after retirement, Mr. Calhoun became a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church and an associate member of Blowing Rock Methodist Church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He was a member of Charlotte Country Club, Piedmont Club of Charlotte, The Alotian Club, and Blowing Rock Country Club. Mr. Calhoun enjoyed golf, fishing, travel, and was an avid reader. Mr. Calhoun cherished every opportunity to be with his family and eight grandchildren who adored their "Poppy." He was a devoted and loving husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. His strong work ethic, integrity and faith in God were his guiding principles. He had a wonderful ability to connect with people through his contagious sense of humor, wit, and kindness. He was a consummate gentleman with a perpetual twinkle in his eye. Mr. Calhoun brought happiness to all who knew and loved him, and he will remain an example in living for his family. His greatest legacy is the love and bond his family shares with one another. He is survived by daughter Paula Calhoun Ruffin and husband Dalton Dillard Ruffin, Jr. of Charlotte; Harriet Calhoun Stephens and husband Warren Amerine Stephens of Little Rock, Arkansas; and son John Nathaniel Calhoun II and wife Ansley Bost Calhoun of Charlotte. His grandchildren are Sarah Dickson Bourgeois and husband John Rion Bourgeois, Rebecca Stuart Dickson, Lydia Dillard Ruffin, Warren Miles Amerine Stephens, John Calhoun Stephens, Laura Whitaker Stephens, William Coulter Calhoun, and John Pierce Calhoun II. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Mr. Calhoun was predeceased by his parents, his wife and the love of his life for fifty-nine years, Paula Whitaker Calhoun, sister Miriam Cook McCrae of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and brother Charles Cooper Calhoun of Seabrook Island, South Carolina. A memorial service will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Interment will be private. A visitation will also be held at the home of John and Ansley Calhoun, 531 Colville Road, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. The family would like to thank Steffeny Harris for her care of and devotion to Mr. Calhoun and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Myers Park United Methodist Church, designated for The St. Luke's Fund, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28207; Blowing Rock Methodist Church, P.O. Box 352, Blowing Rock, North Carolina 28605; The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 534 Spratt Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206; and Crises Assistance Ministries, 500 Spratt Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206. Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the family.