Rev. Thomas Edward “Tommy” Calhoun, 70, of Fitzgerald, died Sunday, September 23, 2012, at Phoebe Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 11 A.M., Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, Fitzgerald with the Rev. Jimmy Cargle, the Rev. David Fisher, and the Rev. Jim Faircloth officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
Pastor Calhoun was born October 11, 1941 in Wilcox County to the late Edward Daniel Calhoun and Lois Brown Calhoun. He was a graduate of Pitts High School and attended Norman Park College and Valdosta State College. He was a veteran of the United States Army and also served in the Georgia National Guard. He was a retired minister with the Georgia Baptist Convention with over 40 years of ministry serving Hatley Church in Cordele, Antioch Church in Hawkinsville, Bethlehem Church in Eastman, Antioch Church in Cordele, Satilla Church in Irwin County, Dakota Church in Ashburn, New Prospect Church in Fitzgerald, Amboy Church in Turner County, and Oklahoma Church in Crisp County. He was a former grocer for Piggly Wiggly and had served as moderator for the Turner Baptist Association.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years: Linda Raper Calhoun of Fitzgerald; daughters and sons-in-law: Stacie & Jamie Dean of Fitzgerald and Holly & Tim Chaney of the Holt community in Irwin County; grandchildren: Adam McGee, Kelly McGee, and Wylee Dean, all of Fitzgerald, and Ben Chaney of the Holt community in Irwin County; brothers: Carlos Calhoun of Cordele and Leon & Shirley Calhoun of Centerville, sisters: Virginia Spradley of Cordele and Barbara & Steve Schmauzer of Fairburn; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law: L.T. Spradley, Jr.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Attn: Tribute Gifts, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 or to Westside Baptist Church, c/o Butch Dale, 211 Walker Road, Fitzgerald GA 31750.