Cover photo for Thomas Allen Calhoun's Obituary
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Thomas Allen Calhoun

May 9, 1943 — August 24, 2022

Thomas Allen Calhoun

On May 9, 1943, Thomas Allen Calhoun was born in Mansfield, Louisiana to Maurice Riemer Calhoun and Clista Andrews Calhoun and passed away, Wednesday, August 24, 2022 in Shreveport, Louisiana.  

With his horse, Two-Bits and his many friends, Tommy grew up in Mansfield and graduated from Mansfield High School.  He went to Baylor University and became a life-long Baylor Bears fan and a life-long “brother-by-choice” to his roommates.  Tommy married his college sweetheart, Beverly Ann Presley, on June 24, 1967.  They had three sons, Kirk, Allen, and Clay, whom they also reared in Mansfield.  Tommy called the 5 of them a “unit.” Because both Allen and Clay died in 2000 and Kirk in 2020, Beverly and Tommy longed to be reunited with them in heaven.  Beverly joined her sons in 2021, and now Tommy is there, also.  They are a “unit” once more, in the embrace of GOD. 

Because Tommy was such a wonderful friend, devoted husband, father, grandfather to Zac, successful and caring businessman and boss, compassionate giver to friends and anyone in need, and fine human being, many people did not realize that his life was like the life of Job.  Tommy’s life of loss and trauma began at age eight, when he lost his mother, and continued through his life.  He experienced more losses and failures and challenges than anyone around him.  Like Job, Tommy sometimes struggled and wrestled with GOD; yet he never gave up on his deep and abiding faith.  Tommy’s and Beverly’s closest friends held them up, and their faith was a miracle that inspired their friends and family. 

Through his life, Tommy talked little about his own contributions to the world and his gifts and help to countless individuals; he said little about his efforts to care for other people.  Instead, he talked a lot about good life, faith, politics, philosophy, history, business, fun memories of people and places, and land—especially the farm at Grand Bayou.  In the tradition of his own father and step-mother, Tommy loved hosting friends and family at Grand Bayou.

Tommy’s life was particularly enriched by closest friends—both his and those of his sons:  Benny Hives; Mike Gulley; Baylor roommates, Dr. Ronald C. Leslie, Dr. Teddy L. Coe, and The Rev. Canon George W. Monroe; Joe B. Allen, III, Atty.;  Rev. Gary L. Ruffin;  Kirk and Allen’s friends- Christian Bagley and Bo Odom; and more we cannot name.  With only his closest friends did he discuss his own personal suffering and the personal challenges and traumas of his own life. His friends are legion-from Mansfield, Baylor, business, church, and his varied interests across the country. 

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Calhoun; his sons, Kirk Calhoun, Allen Calhoun, and Clay Calhoun; his parents, Riemer Calhoun and Clista Calhoun; and his stepmother, Hope Ryder Calhoun.  He is survived by his beloved grandson, Zachary Calhoun; his sister, Carolyn Calhoun Huckabay and husband, Bill; his brother, Riemer Calhoun, Jr. and wife, Marcia; his Calhoun nieces, Clista Whitehurst Adkins and husband, Glen, Tracie Whitehurst Woods and husband, Mike, Murray Andrews Calhoun and wife, Caroline, Mary Evelyn Whitehurst and husband, James, and Marian Calhoun Snapp and husband, Greg; his Presley sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Jane Presley Grant, Sara Presley Welborn, and James Presley; his Presley nephew, Kent Welborn; dozens of cousins; and friends who were also family, Benny and Diane Hives, Mike and Sara Gulley, Christian and Robin Bagley, Bo and Melanie Odom, Peter Moncrief, and many others.

Tommy’s family is especially grateful for the loving care of his grandson, Zac Calhoun, Benny Hives, Dr. Rick Michael, Dr. Natalia Luraguiz, Dr. Ron Byrd, Joy Wilson, Tasha Barrett, Jerica Howard, Divonna October, Golden Gate Nursing, and Regional Hospice. 

The celebration of Tommy’s life will be on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at First Baptist Shreveport, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, led by Dr. Jeff Raines.  A reception will immediately follow the service in the church foyer.  Tommy’s family and friends are invited to meet the family at the graveside at 1:00 p.m. at Highland Cemetery, Mansfield, Louisiana.

Honoring Tommy as pallbearers will be Christian Bagley, David Calhoun, Murray Calhoun, Mike Gulley, Benny Hives, Peter Moncrief, Bo Odom, and Kent Welborn.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Joe B. Allen, Charles Amie, Tommy Frye, Ron Leslie, Teddy Coe, George Monroe, Gary Ruffin, Ivan Smith, Ronney Joe Webb, and the Empowered Believers Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Shreveport, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 or to a charity of your choice.

“Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for they rest . . . they rest from their labors and their work remains behind them.”  Revelation 14:13

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Past Services

Celebration of Life

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

First Baptist Church of Shreveport

543 Ockley Dr, Shreveport, LA 71106

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Burial

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)

Highland Cemetery

, Mansfield, LA 71052

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