Frank E. Callahan Jr., age 92, died Monday, December 5, at his home. Visitation is on Thursday, December 8th, at Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home from 5 to 7 PM with a Rosary at 7 P.M. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jackson, TN on December 9th at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson MS on Saturday, December 10, 2005. Mr. Callahan was a native of Meridian, MS. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1936 and was employed by the Mississippi Power Company at Gulfport, MS, until he was called into service in January 1941. He achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel serving with the 67th Coast Artillery Regiment at Ft. Bragg, NC, the 532nd AA Battalion, and the 473rd Infantry Regiment in Italy and North Africa. He retired after being critically wounded at Viareggio, Italy. His decorations included the Bronze Star Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. After leaving the Army, Mr. Callahan was employed by the TVA for 32 years, with 28 years as supervisor of TVA's Electrical Branch in Jackson, TN. He was a Professional Engineer in MS and TN before retiring in 1978. He married Bettie J. McClelland of Oklahoma City, OK, until she died in 1964. In 1971 he married Grace Hickey of Jackson, MS, and she moved to Jackson, TN, where they made their home until she died in 2001. Mr. Callahan was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Jackson's Downtown Lions Club. He served as President of the Lions Club in 1961 and also served on the Red Cross Board. He was a life member of the VFW and the Retired Officer's Association. Mr. Callahan was an avid hunter, golfer, and member of the Woodland Hills Golf and Country Club. His loved ones will remember him as a kind, fun-loving person with a good sense of humor and a captivating storyteller. He loved his family and life. Two daughters survive him; Linda Callahan of Chicopee, MA; Kay Pomeroy and husband Ken of Troy, MI; two sisters: Helen Vaughan and husband Jerry of Evansville, IN; Grace Melohn and husband Virgil of Jackson, MS; five stepdaughters: Mary Grace Yarbrough of Jackson MS; Joan Hickey of Memphis TN; Shirley Booth of Niceville FL; Judy Fuertges and husband Jerry of Peoria IL; Paula Collins and husband Chuck of Franklin TN; one stepson: Michael Hickey and wife Nancy of Jackson TN; he also leaves twelve grandchildren: Ryan Eric and Shannon Pomeroy; Matthew Yarbrough Mandy Booker Brian Fuertges and Jill Mazzocco Bob Eddie and Andrew Booth Alex and Jake Collins. Four great-grandchildren: Kirkpatrick and Andrew Yarbrough, Chloe Grace Booker, Nicholas Fuertges, and Brooks Booth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Sr. and Irma Callahan, a brother Thomas J. Callahan and a sister Ruth O'Malley. The family requests memorials are sent to the National Kidney Foundation of West TN 857 Mount Moriah Memphis TN 38117, the American Cancer Society 2935 US Highway 45 By-Pass Jackson TN 38305, or St. Mary's Catholic Church Building Fund Jackson TN 38305. Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home 731-424-2424

Published in The Jackson Sun on Dec. 7, 2005
Contributed by Janet LaMotte (#46988542)Thank you.