Obituary for John Calvin Kieran
John Calvin Kieran, Sr.
December 18, 1940 – September 22, 2022
John Calvin Kieran Sr., 81, of Robinson passed away on September 22, 2022 in the comfort of his daughter’s home. Service and interment will be 10 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2022 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. A celebration of life is being planned by the family.
John was born December 18, 1940 in Newark, New Jersey to Charles Edgar and Dorothy Cecilia (nee Herzog) Kieran. He grew up in New Jersey. As a child he cherished family trips to Taylor Cabins on Rangeley Lake in Maine. When his parents passed away while he was yet a teenager he helped take care of his younger siblings. He helped make sure that all siblings were placed with family members before enlisting in the Marine Corps and leaving to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina and then initially being stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina.
He left his home with only a backpack that had one pair of clothes and his most valued items from that home…a Bible and a framed picture of both his mom and his dad. He lived in Massachusetts and Wisconsin before settling in Texas in 1986. He loved to tell the story of how his father had traveled to Texas on the Chisholm Trail in a covered wagon as a young boy. John was proud to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. During his service he traveled the world including Hawaii, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. He taught himself to play guitar during that time.
John loved cars and worked on them through a large portion of his life. A skill he learned as a result of both working on trucks and serving as an Aviation Electronics Operator/Airport Control Operator/Air Transport while in the Marines. He could fix almost anything and lived by doing his best and “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
John loved to fish and his brothers used to say that he had a magic fishing pole because of all the fish he would catch. Before failing health wouldn’t allow he had a green thumb in the garden. Through the years he had meticulous rows of all kinds of beautiful organic produce.
John loved the simple things and led a quiet life. He was a man of few words but when he had something to say it was wisdom worth listening to. He had a quick smile and quiet laugh when he was in the mood to tell good stories. He had fond childhood memories of special dinners and always enjoyed a good meal. John was a devote Christian and an old school man whom loved God, his wife and family. He was glad to lend a hand never asking for anything in return.
Survivors include his beloved wife of over 50 years, Leslie Marie (nee Newman) Kieran, Son Daniel Kieth Kieran, daughters Sherry June Treiber, Pamela Jean (Jim) Wilson, April Marie (Michael) Hartley, Grand children Jessica Treiber, Ryan Treiber, Tiffany Treiber, John Michael Kieran, Tasha Kieran, Mikkita Kieran, Jessica McBride, Jonathon McBride, Roseanna (Simon) Hays, Sarah Lingle, Rachael Hartley, Gharett Hartley, Loralei Hartley, Brothers Frank Kieran, Mark Kieran and Sister Marilyn Sutherland and Great-Grandchildren, nieces, nephews and loved ones
He was preceded in death by a daughter Rachael Michelle Kieran, son John Calvin Kieran, Jr., a brother Charles Kieran and a sister Kathleen Chapin
The family would like to extend a special thanks to his Visiting Angel, Belle, and to Baylor, Scott & White Hospice for providing excellent, compassionate care during this difficult time.