Joshua Ryan Calk

Born in Shreveport December 15, 1975, Joshua Ryan Calk departed this earthly plane on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 due to a senseless act of violence. 

Josh was a graduate of Southwood High School and Louisiana State University Shreveport.  He proudly served our nation as a member of the Louisiana National Guard.

Josh worked as a bartender during his college years while he studied political science and history.  He was known by many as a witty and familiar face who welcomed all into his presence.  Josh got his start as a Petroleum Landman during the Haynesville shale boom of the early 2000’s and was most recently employed in the trade by Volkert Inc.  Josh very much enjoyed researching family lineage and piecing together complicated title ownership.  He was known by his colleagues at the Broadmoor Branch of Shreve Memorial Library where he was the department head of genealogy as the go-to guy for assisting citizens in their own efforts to learn their own familial pasts. His parents, through their love, faith, and devotion, gave him the foundation to become the person he was.  He was a hard worker.  He was a patient man.  He was a kind man and loved animals.  He and the love of his life, Tini MiLea Casten, welcomed stray animals and friends into their home for 18 years. He loved to kick back in the big chair and crack jokes with any one of the endless streams of guests that came through their open door.  He was a proud and involved father to his smart and fun-loving son.  He embraced his role as the “other” dad to his son’s many friends in part because he was just a big kid himself.  He drove carpool for the young and often was the designated driver for the young at heart.  While golf was a pastime and LSU football a passion, his love of books and film bordered on obsession.  He always had a book at hand and often a remote control.  He delighted in MiLea’s renowned culinary masterpieces and was happy to do the dishes in appreciation. You could often find him holding court on their deck, manning the Green Egg and diving deep into philosophical conversations.  He was quick-witted and intelligent and loved to have a good conversation.   

He will be missed by hundreds of friends and loved ones and half a dozen dogs and cats.  The city, the world and our lives are forever dimmed by this loss.

Josh was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Dolan and Dean Calk and maternal grandparents, Betty and Bill Barrett. 

He is survived by his beautiful wife, Tini MiLea Casten; the apple of his eye, Casten Emerson Calk; his beloved parents, Phyllis and Ronald Calk; his brother, Jeffery Calk and wife, Kristin and their children, Tatum and Hudson.

A Memorial honoring Joshua will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport on Saturday, May 13, 2023.  Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. and continue until 4:00 p.m.  His service will commence at promptly 4:20 p.m. and guests are encouraged to wear shorts and Hawaiian shirts.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Volkert Inc and its leadership for their extraordinary support and compassion during this time.

Special thanks also to family friend Jenny McGuirk, who curated the GoFundMe.  The family also wants to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of love and support from so many. 

The family also wants to pay tribute to Jairiah Hamilton whose life was also cut short that day.  It was an act of senseless violence that ended two lives and forever changed two families.  Please keep Mr. Hamilton’s family in your thoughts and prayers going forward.

In lieu of flowers please consider honoring Josh’s memory with a donation to The Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011 or the charity of your choice.