Allie Orville Callihan, 85, of Beaumont, passed away on Monday, May 28, 2012, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. He was born on July 12, 1926, in Devers, to Era and Allie Lee Callihan
Upon graduating from Devers High School, Red joined the Navy as a medic. He was subsequently transferred to the Marine Corps, and proudly served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, where he participated in the invasion of Okinawa.
Upon being discharged at the end of the war, Red moved back to Devers and married Bonnie McMillen. He was a graduate of Lamar University, and was employed with Entex Gas for thirty-five years, retiring as District Office Manager. After retirement, he and Bonnie were antique dealers for many years. He was a fifty year member of Forest Park United Methodist Church.
Red is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Bonnie Callihan; children, Sandra Fleck and her husband, Rodney and Gwen Wilson and her husband, John; grandchildren, Cary Ryan Webb, John Wilson IV and his wife, April; Challie Wilson Sherrill and her husband, David; Shane Braddock and his fiancée, Sarah Johnson; Amanda Braddock and her husband, Gordon French; Cody Wilson and his wife, Lacey; and Scott Braddock; great-grandchildren, Bridger Wilson, McKinley Wilson, Callihan Wilson, and Cayden Wilson. He died before getting to see two more great-grandchildren, due in August and September. Red is also survived by sisters, Evelyn Markby and Iris Whittington; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will remember Red, not just for his incredible work ethic, but also as someone with a quick wit, tremendous sense of humor, exuberant Irish laugh, and extreme patriotic spirit. He was a strong and supportive family man with a penchant for helping others: those he knew well, and others that he had just met. Although he has passed on, Red will live on in the lives of everyone he touched in his eighty-five years.
The family is very appreciative for the loving care Red received from the wonderful staff at Harbor Hospice.
A gathering of Mr. Callihan’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2012, at Forest Park United Methodist Church, 225 South Major Drive, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Haven of Rest Cemetery, Beaumont. His five grandsons along with Gordon French and David Sherrill will serve as pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Forest Park United Methodist Church, 225 South Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.
