John D. Callahan's Obituary
CALLAHAN, John D., age 66, of Dayton, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Kettering Medical Center.
John honorably served in the United States Marines. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton. He retired as a group leader in 2016 from DMAX in Moraine after more than 20 years of service to the company.
Strong and independent, selfless and dependable, and fun to be around, John was giving and supportive to his family, his co-workers, and friends. He was highly intelligent, especially regarding math, engineering, and puzzles. In addition, he was a deep thinker and especially loved to read. He had a fascination and appreciation for history, especially Civil War history, and traveled several times to Gettysburg and other historical and war re-enactment sites. His life's passion was his work. As a result, he was a natural leader, supportive, and inspirational to those he worked with and the company he worked for. He was a big fan of Notre Dame football, the Dallas Cowboys, and UD basketball. He loved crime novels and TV shows, notably John Grisham literature, JAG, Highlander, NCIS, and Walker Texas Ranger. However, he enjoyed the time spent with his kids and grandkids the most. When his sons were growing up, he coached them in soccer. Furthermore, even when it became difficult to travel to the games, he always looked forward to his grandchildren's games.
Over the years, it became somewhat of a tradition for the entire family to travel to the beaches of North Carolina for vacation. Of course, he loved the holidays when his extended family would travel back from Texas and the east coast. Whenever family got together, Euchre became the activity he looked forward to the most.
Among many things, he will be remembered for how much he enjoyed sitting on his porch watching the kids play, reading, or marveling over a storm rolling in. In addition, how John and his family viewed family dinners, especially the insistence that they remain a formal affair with everyone washing their hands, the table set properly, use of the dining room table, and absence of the couch and electronics, that will also be remembered special by the family. Furthermore, his love of books and life, in general, will never be forgotten.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walt Callahan. He is survived by four sons, Ryan, Blaine, Aaron (Jessica), and Brandon Callahan; nine grandchildren, Colin, Dylan, Ian, Charlotte, Kenzie, Preston, Ashlyn, Levi, and Lukas; his mother, Joanne Callahan; one brother, Tim (Kathy) Callahan; and two sisters, Colleen Callahan (Robert Goldwater) and Anne (Mark) Cerrezin.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Thursday, June 22, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. The family will receive friends 11 AM - 1 PM Thursday, June 22, at the funeral home. Pastor Joe Shutts will be officiating the services. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, July 12, at the Dayton National VA Cemetery in Dayton.
In lieu of flowers and due to John’s love for children, contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Bryston Keating Memorial Scholarship Fund, via the following link: https://www.nwcalliancesoccer.org/bryston-keating-memorial-scholarship. The goal of the scholarship is to ensure kids like Bryston get to experience soccer who may not otherwise be able to for financial reasons. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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