Calvin Gregory Tomlinson

Calvin “Cal” Gregory Tomlinson was born November 1, 1951, in Callaway, Minnesota. He passed away on October 3, 2025 after a valiant battle with interstitial lung disease. He was a month shy of 74 when he died.

Cal was the 5th born of Marion “Mac” and Ozella Tomlinson’s nine children. Cal was in the middle, in the truest sense of the word: two older sisters, two older brothers, two younger sisters and two younger brothers. In the middle of things is where you could often find Cal! He was ever the curious thinker, creator and the one with big ideas. Cal’s love of building was sparked at age nine, by helping build his family’s new home on Lake Eunice. It was there that he became quite the amazing water skier and developed his athletic skills. Cal graduated Audubon High school in 1969 and was a part of Audubon’s record setting football team. This team was the only one in the school’s history to go undefeated their entire four years of high school.

A true Renaissance Man, Cal became very invested in, and passionate about, whatever he was pursuing. A life-long love of music impacted his life and that of many others. Cal and his two brothers, Mike and Dana, started the country rock band Sagebrush in the mid 1970’s. Sagebrush played on the main stage at the first ever We-Fest Country Music Festival and many other musical venues across the country during its prime years of 1975-1985. Music led Cal to the mountains of Colorado where his deep love of rugged peaks developed. In Colorado, Cal grew in his skill with wood and honing his true inner craftsman. Cal worked for many years as a finish carpenter, teaching and growing the skills of many along his path. He also took full advantage of the Colorado Rockies and became a world-class snow skier. Cal was excited to share this growing passion with his many nieces and nephews.

After Sagebrush retired, Cal continued in the building business in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. It was here that Cal also developed his passion and skill as a windsurfer.

In 1994, Cal felt called back to his Minnesota roots, only this time to the Sartell area. There he brought his woodworking skills to join family members in the home building business. For many years he worked with his brother-in-law, sister, and nephew in Tri-mor Homes. First as lead trimmer, project manager and then partner. Later he partnered in Hansen Tomlinson Homes with another sister and brother-in-law.

With an eye for detail, Cal was instrumental in building many beautiful homes over his years in construction. A former client had this to say about Cal, after hearing of his homegoing. “Thank you on behalf of all the families like ours who you have given a dream home to, where they can raise their family and make beautiful memories. You have a special place in so many hearts, especially ours.”

After Sagebrush ended Cal never lost his passion for music. He continued playing with his brothers at family occasions. When the idea for a reunion concert was born, Cal was all in. This started a tradition of Sagebrush playing annually at Music on The Mountain in Detroit Lakes, as well as other venues. The funds raised from many of these concerts were used to to help the home situations of needy women and children in Becker County. Recently, though dealing with significant health complications, Cal still took the stage with the band this past June and July. During its 50 years of playing, Cal remained the only bass guitarist Sagebrush ever had. The show must go on!

Cal Tomlinson loved his Lord and personal savior and loved his family well. Next to his savior, people were so important to Cal. He was very generous with his care for others and sharing his resources. Cal treasured his time with siblings, a passel of nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews . He loved to pass on his knowledge and, it goes without saying, if you knew him, Cal always made time to talk and was never short on words!

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Ozella; brother Phil, nephew, Geoff Sagen; great nephew, Zachery Ladenburger; and three half -brothers: Kenneth, Wesley and Blair Tomlinson.

Calvin is survived by his siblings Dale (Ellie) Tomlinson, Nadine (Gerry) Sagen, Bonnie (Doug) Hansen, Glenice (Greg) Marxen, Patricia (David) Heide, Michael (Michelle) Tomlinson and Dana (Rita) Tomlinson. He leaves behind 18 nieces and nephews, and several grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Lake Eunice Evangelical Free Church, 12986 County Road 15, Detroit Lakes MN 56501.  His family would be grateful for memorial donations to: The pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at pulmonaryfibrosis.org or The The Parkinson's Foundation at Parkinson.org