John Paul Callis

John Paul Callis
1942 ~ 2024
Our dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather slipped away peacefully on June 29, 2024. He was so loved and was the anchor of our family and there are no words to describe the loss he leaves in our hearts.
He was born on May 31, 1942 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Paul John Callis and Evelyn M Callis. He graduated from Provo High School and went on to attend Brigham Young University graduating with a BS in Marketing and Finance. He also graduated from California State College Long Beach with a MBA in Finance.
John worked in various capacities throughout his adult life such as Geneva Steel, US Steel, Zions Bank, and South Jordan Water Reclamation Facility.
John was very athletic and enjoyed the outdoors. He was proud to have played football for BYU and was devastated by a career ending leg injury. If dad were given his choice of what he would like to do in his spare time, he would undoubtedly say fishing, boating, and float tubing at Strawberry Reservoir along with hunting and camping. Being in nature with friends and family brought him great joy.
His greatest treasure in this life was his wife Kathleen Despain Callis. They married in the Manti temple on January 20, 1967 and were married for 57 ½ years. He was a dedicated, hardworking husband. Together they had two sons and two daughters whom he also loved very much. In recent years, his 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren brought him so much joy.
John's LDS mission to the Ireland, Scotland Mission from 1961-1963 was life changing for him. He developed such a love for the Irish, Scottish people and his shared heritage. On his mission he further developed his deep and abiding love and faith in his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He never wavered in his testimony and lived each day in the service of his Heavenly Father and those he came in contact with. He never complained about helping others. He was the first to show up to help and the last to leave. He was such an example of true discipleship to his family and those that knew him. He served in various church capacities as bishop, scout master, gospel doctrine teacher and others.
His sense of humor was endearing. One of the last glimpses we got of his humor was him making his legendary weasel face for the grandkids and great grandkids.
He is proceeded in death by his father, Paul Callis, mother, Evelyn Callis and older brother Garry Callis. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Despain, son Chris Callis (Heidi), daughter, Megan Ericson (Dave), daughter, Katie Clark (Micah) and son, Josh Callis. Grandchildren Jessica Shelby (Landon), Emily Canfield (Jacob), Alyssa Grunander (Keaton), Sean Callis (Carol), Madeline Cowart (Hayden) Hailey Mackey (Jake), Michael Callis, Madison Clark, Max Clark and Zac Clark. "Papa John" is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, Taft, Callum, Cohen, Georgia, Quinn, Will, Reese, and Lia. He loved them so very much and loved hearing about their latest antics and interests. He is also survived by his sister Paula Jones (Isaac) and his brother Charles Callis (Bonnie).
We would like to thank Sheila, Michelle and Annette with A+ Hospice for the compassionate care they rendered to our dad and family in his final months. It did not go unnoticed and meant the world to his family.
Funeral services will be provided by Warenski Funeral Home on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Cedar Hills 7th Ward Chapel, located at 9737 North Chesterfield Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah 84602. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Graveside services will follow at Highland City Cemetery, 6200 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah 84003.