Jack Calhoun of Collegedale, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
Jack was born to Glenn and Pearl (Willis) Calhoun, Oct. 21, 1919, in Poplar, NC. In 1934, he moved to Erwin, TN. Erwin became his hometown. In February, 1939, prior to WWII, he joined the U.S. Navy; and, was discharged after the war in March 1946. When he first enlisted, he was an Electricians Mate; then, promoted to a Warrant Officer and commissioned as an Ensign. He rose to Lieutenant prior to his discharge in 1945. For the Navy to promote an enlisted seaman to a Commissioned Officer over the short span of time he served, proves he was a highly intelligent man with extraordinary leadership skills. In 1944, he married his wife, Jacqueline (Jackie) Capps, of Erwin, Tennessee. They were married for almost sixty years, prior to her passing away in 2004. We love and miss our beautiful Mom.
During his service in the US Navy, he was unfortunate to be aboard the USS Dale docked at Pearl Harbor on that infamous day, December 7, 1941. He and his fellow shipmates were able to escape harm by getting out of the harbor while the Japanese diligently tried to sink the Dale. The Japanese were trying to block the harbor, thus trapping all the ships. He served throughout the War in the South Pacific on destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers, battling the Japanese Navy. At the end of the war, he walked in the bombed out city of Hiroshima, one of two cities hit with the first atomic bombs. He personally witnessed the start and end of World War II.
After the war, he attended Tennessee Tech, where he graduated in 1949 with as BS in Electrical Engineering. Soon after school, he was employed by TVA as a Power Plant Operator. Quickly, promoted into plant operations as an Electrical Maintenance Superintendent; and, then to Assistant Plant Manager at the Shawnee Steam Plant, located in Paducah, Kentucky. In the early 1960’s, TVA began their Nuclear Power Department. He was selected as the lead to form a highly experienced and talented group of engineers. His lead position was to ensure TVA’s operational and engineering staff had the necessary knowledge and experience to seamlessly bring the nuclear power plants online. In the late 1960’s, he was selected as the TVA’s Plant Manager for its first Nuclear Plant, Browns Ferry Nuclear Station, located in Athens, Alabama. Prior to Browns Ferry going online you were picked as TVA’s Nuclear Department Director and relocated to TVA’s Power Headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he held that position throughout the 70’s overseeing the construction and operations of TVA’s nuclear plants.
In 1980, Pennsylvania Power & Light (PP&L) offered him a position as Senior Vice President in charge of their nuclear division. With his experience and management skills, he guided PP&L through the regulatory nightmare in licensing and commissioning its first nuclear plant. In 1985, after he successfully had the PP&L plant in full operation, he felt that PP&L nuclear department was operationally sound and decided to retire, relocating to Chattanooga Tennessee. He was not done yet, a nuclear consulting company, General Physics, asked him to come onboard as a consultant for the entire nuclear utility industry as a Senior Vice President. For the next four years he traveled the country as a consultant providing guidance in regulatory and engineering aspects of nuclear power plants. He finally retired in 1989, at the age of 70, to spend time with his wife and family.
Jack was popular and respected in the Nuclear and Fossil Power Industry. His former co-workers cannot say enough good words about him. All the goodness seen in him by his family was seen by those that worked with him. He was a pioneer in the nuclear power industry. His family is SO proud of all his accomplishments. “Over the years, in your career, your jobs were very stressful and had high levels of responsibility. To maintain a good reputation through those difficult times speaks volumes about you. We pray that ability to handle difficult situations has transferred to us, your children and grandchildren. Patrick, your only son, works in the same industry. In the 1980's, Patrick was constantly asked if he was Jack Calhoun's son. One family story is from your daughter Carol. Her son, Robert, was about 6 years old, and they were on a car trip with you and Mom. Dad, you got out of the car to go into a business...Robert said, " Do you think they will recognize Granddaddy?". When we asked him what he meant, Robert said, "Well, he's famous, isn't he?" Robert thought his grandfather was a famous well known celebrity. Dad, you were and will always be famous to your family!” Today, you can "Google" Jack R. Calhoun, and find many written articles showing his involvement in the power industry.
After retirement, he actually taught himself computer software, as well as, building a desktop computer. Using WordPerfect, and taking two years, he wrote a detailed book about his memories from early life to memories of WWII; life on a US Navy destroyer (which he only spoke about if urged); his work, family, and family ancestry. He titled the book, "A Span of Time". Your family appreciates having this book; and, it will be handed down for many generations. We have always loved his perseverance and hope we inherited that part of his character. We were amazed how quickly he learned and jumped on the “information super highway". Since the early 1990’s he was using the internet to communicate with family and friends. He added a computer camera to video conference; and, was the first to tell his family members (one of which previously worked for Microsoft) about the search engine Google. Additionally, he built a working steam locomotive with a lathe. What a work of art! We will always cherish it. In his younger years, Dad, loved fishing, ham radios and spending time with the family. He was a man of many talents!
One love he had through his life was his 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. Janice, age 11, was with him when he bought it. Little did we know in 1964 that it would still be in the family in 2016! It was, and has been, a family treasure. He even made a recording of the engine sound! Patrick drove it before going into the US Navy; and, Janice drove it (while he was gone) in high school. He taught Susan how to drive the car with a heavy duty clutch and stick shift when she was twelve years old! We have many family stories about the 442!
“Dad, not sure if you knew it or not, but we placed you on a high pedestal. Your four children, eleven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren adored you; and, you always reciprocated that love in many ways. You made each one of us feel special, and you were greatly interested in our lives. All your children and grandchildren have many special memories with you. You treated every friend and member of the family the same....with respect. Dad, you were a man of high integrity, intelligence and had a great sense of humor! You were an example to us in every way...as a man, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. We know you appreciated Susan's devoted help for all the years she helped take care of you after Mom passed away. She was totally devoted in taking care of your daily needs for over twelve years. She did this while working and raising two children. We are all thankful for Susan's devotion to you. Your good natured (always glass half full) personality will remain a memory for all those that knew you. We love you, Dad. You will always be in our memories and hearts. Your funny jokes and mannerisms. All of us hope to follow in your footsteps....see you in heaven. Jack Calhoun = high integrity, family man, God fearing, loving, hardworking, funny, intelligent, teacher to all, our hero, good man X 2.Love and miss you Dad! Carol, Patrick, Janice, and Susan
Funeral service will be held on Monday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends form 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd. who has charge of the arrangements.