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Walter Roy Callender
1930 - 2014
Walter Roy Callender
1930 - 2014
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1930
DIED
2014
Walter Callender Obituary
Walter Roy Callender, 84, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2014. He was born Walter John Scheibler on Jan. 18, 1930 in New York City, N.Y. His early childhood was spent in the Bronx, until moving to Florida in 1941, where he was eventually adopted by Arthur Roy and Martha Callender of Lakeworth, Fla. Later they moved to Southern California, where Roy attended Inglewood High School, graduating in 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Navarro from 1950-1954 during the Korean War. Returning to California, he attended El Camino Jr. College and received his Bachelor's degree from Cal State Los Angeles. He worked in the Inglewood Parks and Recreation Department until 1960, when he was appointed as Director of the Palm Springs Youth Center. Working with the youth of Palm Springs was a highlight of Roy's life, retiring more than 22 years later. He remained active upon retirement, working in the pool service industry for many years. He is survived by his first wife Janet Callender of Rancho Mirage; son Scott (Stacy) Callender of Lake Forest; daughter Jill (Dale) Marshall of Cathedral City; and daughter Shelly Callender of Cathedral City; six grandchildren; and his sister, Loretta Jean Crist of Lakeworth, Fla. He was preceded in death by his second wife of almost 35 years, Jackie Grant Callender; and his sister, Ethel Krause. A memorial gathering of friends and family will be held in his honor on Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Rio del Sol Clubhouse, 36-150 Avenida del Sol, Cathedral City, Calif.
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Jackie & Roy
Chris Brown
August 8, 2014
Jackie & Roy
August 7, 2014
May 5, 2014
May 5, 2014
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Pamela Gray-Newcomb
April 29, 2014
He played a very important role in my teenage years at the youth center and helping me land my first job as a Lifeguard at the City pool. He was a great guy and I will miss him.
April 27, 2014
"Mr. Callender"as we knew and respected you by name. Big brother, surogate dad,teacher and role model is how we knew and respected you as a a person who made a difference in our lives. From a safe haven away from home to hosting & promoting our great high school peer bands like Scott Kennedy, Arthur Lyons, Tim Welch & Robert (?) you made it all happen . To bad there aren't more like you but we just thank your family for sharing you with us. RIP--Rick Smith class of '63
April 27, 2014
Smiling with YOU always, Cathie McCammon
Cindy Whiteley Phelps
April 27, 2014
Wow, ditto to everything said in previous messages. Cal, as I called him was a huge part of my life,I was dropped off downtown before the Y.C. was open. I spend just about every night of my high school evenings at the Y.C. and met many life long friends. It was my family. Cal kept us busy, stuffing envelopes, cracking eggs for the Lyons Club breakfasts, Many wonderful memories! I lost a piece of my heart when I heard he had passed, I was hoping for one last hug. My condolences to his family.
Fran Poist Chapman
April 27, 2014
Roy Callender's impact on the youth of Palm Springs was immense. He taught us to be leaders through the Friday Nighters and Tridents, groups in which we planned dances, fund raisers, trips, and shared the responsibilities of running those events. He opened a world of trips and conferences to us that never would have been available without his influence! He may have had an easy-going image, but he always knew what was going on with all of us! Callender, you will always be an integral part of the most important "growing up" years of an entire generation of Palm Springs.
Candee Courtney
April 25, 2014
I look forward to meeting again at the heavenly Youth Center. RIP
Sharon Riley
April 24, 2014
Thank you Roy for always being there for us kids during the early 60's, you made such a difference in our lives and taught us how to reach for the stars. I will always cherish those memories and your friendship!
Pam Mashburn Fairbanks
April 23, 2014
So many of us recall those "Happy Days" because of the efforts Mr. Callender put into running a safe and fun haven for so many. With thoughtful supervision, Mr. Callender taught us how to organize activities and even govern ourselves. The Youth Center was definitely a home away from home and, as others have noted, Mr. Callender gave us the gift of fond memories that we all think back on with a smile.
April 23, 2014
I was so sorry to hear of Roy's death. Best wishes from the Middleton family, Bob, Julie, Kari and Bobby
April 22, 2014
Dear Mr Roy Callender: Many thoughts of you this day going back to 1960 when you first took over management of the Palm Springs Youth Center with fun activities such as weekly dances, crafts, modeling courses and more. A safe haven and wonderful social venue for us youths at the time who were often spread out all over the desert. I will remember you always and fondly for being there, for the fun times from Chubby Checker..Let's Do the Twist to Beatles music and more. You knew all us kids, cared about us and always were friendly while keeping the place well managed and maintained. What a great guy! Thanks so much again for being there. We last enjoyed you at our PSHS 40th. Fondly, Susan Smith & Friends Nellie Coffman Jr.High to Palm Springs High School class of '65
April 19, 2014
Roy, you probably had a huge impact on a lot of young people's lives during our teen years. Thank you for all you did
kelcie marshall
April 19, 2014
grandpa, I can't believe your gone. Everyday I think I about you and I miss you so much, I remember when I was little and you would be smoking on your pipe while I would play with Maggie and Amy. Even though Im really sad to know that your gone, I know your in a better place. I'll always have a piece of you in my heart. The best memory I have of you was my 16th birthday when you gave my grandma Jackie's ring. I love you....
April 19, 2014
dad, my love for u is so overwhelming, this loss is so heart breaking, but I know the lord is with u now. this is not how it ends...... I will see u again. I love u..... jill.
Dale Marshall
April 19, 2014
Roy was my Father-N-Law and I was lucky enough to marry into one of the best family. From the beginning Roy treated me like I was one of his kids. He got me into the pool business and took me hunting with Charlie Ray and Carl and their kids. What a great guy! I really miss him.
I'm glad he and Jaci are back together and he is with his loving family who had past before him.
Dale
Moreen Scully
April 19, 2014
Roy was absolutely the definition of a great man, intelligent, caring, kind and incredibly funny. I don't know one girl at the Youth Center who didn't have a crush on him. I will miss Mr. Callender and the world will be a little sadder for all of us who knew him.
Eric Stickles
April 19, 2014
Walter, not only you were the man at the youth center center you were my next door neighbor for over 20 years what luck or faith it was when we were looking for a house and it happened to be right next to you and Jackies. You were the best combination I could have asked for a father figure, friend, brother and family. You and Jackie were our extended family and love and will forever miss you and Jackie. Love you brother.
April 19, 2014
Roy had the patience of a saint.What a great place for all us musicians to get our start,Thanks Roy,Rest in Peace.....Brent York
scott chariton
April 18, 2014
How do you say good-bye to that proverbial second father? So many years from "68-77" spending more time there than at home. Telling Cal things I would never tell my parents and one time, asking for advice on how to leave the country. :) Hanging out with Don Sweet and then Don Williams. All the dances with Jon Monica, Nick Mustacio and Stewart Roberts all up on stage. Digging up that Strawberry Hill before each dance and all the people that I am still friends with because of the Youth Center. Great memories. Thanks for all of it, Cal, I will miss you a ton.
Lauralee Davis
April 18, 2014
Thank you from all of us kids that grew up in Palm Springs and hung out at the Youth Center. Mr. Callender created a safe haven for all of us. God bless you and rest in peace.
April 18, 2014
I know that your contribution was far greater than just the P.S. Youth Center, but boy ... what an impact you made to a buch of desert kids! you treated all of us very well, no matter what, even during a time when the racial climate in America and locally as well, was not at it's best. You will be missed, but I'm sure your best reward is there in heaven right beside the king of kings. Love & blessings to the Callendar family for sharing you. In our heart, in our prayers.
Gayland & Pearl Devers
Nick Mutascio
April 18, 2014
A great man to the community, Youth Center Director. A second father to so many kids. He truly touch so many lives and made such a difference to so many of us that grew up here in Palm Springs. His Legacy can be seen everywhere in Palm Springs, with the lives and businesses of all kids that he helped and was there for! I miss you Wally!!!
Cindy Elliott Margolies
April 17, 2014
What a fun-loving, caring guy. We were so lucky to have him brightening our lives as teenagers.
Ron Starrs
April 17, 2014
For a few years in the mid-late 60's, I spent more time with Roy Callendar than I did at home. The Youth Center was a safe, fun place to hang out.
Susan Hamilton
April 17, 2014
Roy Callender was a wonderful part of my youth. I will never forget his smart and funny comments. He was the perfect man for running the Youth Center. Thanks so much for all the great memories. RIP, Mr. Callender.
April 17, 2014
RIP Roy. You were a good man.
Love, Janet
Cindy Hollinger
April 17, 2014
This Picture is of the Roy Callender I knew.: A grin on his face, pipe in his mouth. He was so good to Dana and I. Always a friend and ready to tease me. I remember he and Jackie laughing together and the vacations we spent in Idaho. What a gift the Callender family was to Palm Springs.
Carl Reich
April 17, 2014
I have great memories of hunting with Roy, Dana and Ray at "The Tracks" and in Idaho. He was a good guy and we will miss him. I'm sorry for your loss.
Bruce Williams
April 17, 2014
His breakfast potatoes were second to none. He was my father's best friend and a friend to me as well. He could be cantankerous at times yet willing to battle the world on your behalf at a moment's notice. I have so many fond and funny memories of Roy. There will never be another Roy Callender.
rhondda estel schroen
April 17, 2014
oh those dances. so much fun. were we all innocent? No, Mr. Callender used to bring us in from outside. But the bands, the dancing, so good.
April 17, 2014
One of the Good Guys you meet along the way , the youth center was a special place thanks to him .
Beth Newton (Goldman)
April 17, 2014
So many friends and memories of the Youth Center and Mr. Callendar's smile. We loved him then and respected him for what he meant to all of us. He always knew. It is a part of our youth we will never forget.
April 17, 2014
It's hard to imagine another person who made more of an impact in the lives of young people in his community. I attribute much of who I am today to the love, nurturing, and FUN I experienced during my junior high and high school years at the Palm Springs Youth Center.
Sherri Crouch
April 17, 2014
Thank you Mr Callender! Just thank you.......Our love for you will always stay in our hearts.
Susan Hurst
April 17, 2014
We loved Mr Calender & hanging out at the PS Youth Center. The Friday Nighters were a "handful" but he always had the patience and energy to keep us busy.
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