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John Douglas Callaway

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University of Chicago

John Callaway Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 26, 2009.

RACINE - John Douglas Callaway, 72, passed away on June 23, 2009. John was born in New Martinsville, W.Va. on August 22, 1936. He married Sandy Callaway in 1998 on Valentine's Day and has lived in the Racine area for the past 9 years. Among many other journalistic feats, John was the long-time host of 'Chicago Tonight' on WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago and most recently, host of 'Front and Center' for the Pritzker Military Library based in Chicago. In his spare time, John enjoyed golf and movies and was an avid reader. John loved working in his home office in Racine enjoying the view of the lake while he worked. John is survived by his wife, Sandy Callaway; daughters, Liz (Dan) Callaway Foster and Ann Hampton Callaway (partner Kari Strand); grandson, Nicholas Foster; and his sister, Hamp (Tom) Karras. John is also survived by Sandy's four children and grandchildren. A celebration of John's life will be held at Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago, 5850 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. PURATH-STRAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY 3915 Douglas Avenue 639-8000 www.purath-strand.com

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Recent Activity

June 28, 2009

Bill Gaudry posted to the memorial.

June 28, 2009

Paul Nebenzahl posted to the memorial.

June 27, 2009

Patrick Dawson posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Bill Gaudry

June 28, 2009

Interested in truth and fairness; interested in his fellow man. What finer tribute can I pay him?

Paul Nebenzahl

June 28, 2009

John:

Nothing beat backing you up while you sang "Embraceable You." You were a great friend and always had time for me, no matter what you were doing. I'll never forget your humanity and kindnesses. Rest In Peace, Dear Friend.

Patrick Dawson

June 27, 2009

Mrs. Sandra Callaway,
I'm so sorry to hear about John's death. You and John met my grandfather, Norman Johnson, several times. I believe it began because several years ago you were doing research about the flu that broke out at the end of World War I, and you set up several interviews with him since he was one of the few flu survivors still alive. This sounds like such interesting work that you were doing, and he was so very proud of this connection. Norm passed away in 2005, just shy of his 93rd birthday. His connection with you and John was one of the highlights of his final years. I first lived in Chicago from 1988-91, and greatly benefitted from John’s political interviews and analysis on Chicago Tonight during those politically uncertain years after Harold Washington’s death. Now that I'm recently back in the Chicago area I have appreciated John's guest appearances, especially a piece he did this winter recapping the story of Jane Byrne's unlikely election. He'll be missed! - Patrick Dawson

Dave Mann

June 26, 2009

I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Jahn Callaway only once, when Gale Sayers & I paid a visit to the WTTW studios in 2007. Gale was to be John's guest and he was amazed how prepared John was.

What was important to me however, was I was able to tell John that it was he who turned me into a regular WTTW viewer. I loved his interviews and more often than not, I learned something that I hadn't known before.

I also know that a personal friend of mine, actor Mike Farrell, was extremely impressed with John's preparation when John interviewed him during Mike's book tour in 2007.

John is one of the few people that will always be remembered, not just for their work, but for their kindness and he was very nice to me.

My condolences to his family, especially his daughters Ann and Liz who brought him so much joy with their music and love.