John R. Calhoun

John R. Calhoun, age 86, passed away in Bellingham, Washington on July 6, 2022. He was born May 7, 1936. His parents were Carl and Elizabeth Calhoun. John graduated from Bellingham High School in 1954 and WSU in 1959 with a BA in speech and education. John loved sports and broadcasting. He broadcast many games while attending WSH. During the summers he was a radio announcer at KENY radio.
Upon graduation, John taught speech, drama, and English at Carmichael Jr. High School in Richland, Washington. John spent the next two years teaching for the Armed Services in Baumholder, Germany. John travelled 40,000 miles around Europe during this time.
John travelled around the world for the next three years. He loved seeing marvelous sights, meeting people, and learning about new cultures. Upon returning to the US he spent a year in Berkeley, California studying at the Pacific School of Religion. John was called to serve two small churches in Winslow and Benton Falls, Maine. He completed his Master’s of Divinity degree at Bangor Seminary while ministering his two churches. John also had the opportunity to broadcast may high school sporting events during the five years he was in Maine.
John moved to Manhattan Beach, California in the fall of 1970 to serve as senior minister of the Manhattan Beach Community Church for the next 40 years. He had an exciting ministry and was well-loved by everyone who knew him. The church thrived under his leadership.
John is survived by his wife Kay (Clark), her daughters Elizabeth West and Melissa Dlouhy and grandchildren Grace West and John Dlouhy, any many loving relatives and friends. A celebration of John’s life will be held in Manhattan Beach, California. Donations can be made in his name to Manhattan Beach Community Church, 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266. You may share memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com .