Robert Wayne "Bob" Calhoun

Robert Wayne Calhoun, age 79, died peacefully on October 30, 2026, going joyfully into the eternal rest and reward of Christ.

Born May 1, 1947, Bob was raised in Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s. His early years were filled with childhood wonder and family fun, including trips to the California desert and mountains and plenty of days at the beach. He attended Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, California, graduating with the Class of 1965.

Bob joined the Navy in 1966 and served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969 as a Navy Hospital Corpsman (medic). He spent 12 months offshore aboard the USS Okinawa, then 18 months on land, attached to the 3rd Marines 3rd Recon B Company and later H&S Company. He helped save many lives, witnessed some of the worst casualties of the war, and was at the Battle of Khe Sanh for 76 of the 77 days of the siege.

In 1973, Bob moved to Oregon and in 1976, he started his own business, Calhoun Signs, creating signs of all sizes and varieties, including painted, sandblasted, vinyl, and even neon. He had a very steady hand and was an amazing artist, and his signs could be found all over the Rogue Valley. In 1977, he gave his life to Christ, and throughout his life was active in both church membership, evangelism and hospitality, always ready to share encouragement and kindness. His children were born in Medford, Oregon, in 1978 and 1981.

Bob also worked as a clown who performed for children's groups at libraries, community centers, and churches. He could spin up to eight plates on sticks, juggle tennis balls off a wall, and juggle while riding a unicycle. He also juggled bowling pins with a partner while his children, dressed as clowns, stood in the middle as the pins flew by.

In the early 80s and again in the 1990s, Bob served as an activities director at a nursing home, where he organized bingo with the residents and played his guitar, singing the older hymns and worship songs they loved. He was also active with fellow veterans at the nearby VA Domiciliary at Camp White, where they could connect and work through what they had experienced together, as only fellow veterans could.

Bob was blessed with seven grandchildren, five boys and two girls, and two great-grandsons, all of whom he loved deeply and spent many meaningful and memorable times with. In 2015 he married his wife Bea and soon after moved to Waco, Texas to enjoy retirement, but he was always active in his community and making new friends, especially with younger men in the church who he could encourage.

He enjoyed fishing, board and card games, calligraphy, and singing and playing his guitar for anyone who would listen. Later in life, he enjoyed boating, riding his recumbent bike, and staying active in many ways, including service to his church family.

One of the greatest passions of Bob’s life was sharing with everyone he met the joy of the everlasting peace of knowing Jesus Christ. He was a good and faithful servant to the very end, always looking for ways to give to others and turn strangers into friends. It didn't matter where people were from, what they looked like, what they could offer him, or how much money was in their pocket; he treated everyone with great respect and dignity. He loved Jesus, and Jesus loved him.

Bob is survived by his wife, Benedicta "Bea" Cooper Calhoun, age 78, of Robinson, Texas; his sister, Nancy Calhoun, age 74, of Richmond, California; his daughter, Lisa Calhoun, age 48; his son, Erik Calhoun, age 45, and daughter-in-law, Kacey Calhoun, age 47; his seven grandchildren and one granddaughter-in-law: Jalante Applewhite, age 30; granddaughter-in-law Madi Applewhite, age 29; Jordan Applewhite, age 29; Jaime Brown, age 26; Jaryn Campbell, age 22; Raelynn Calhoun, age 20; Erik Calhoun Jr., age 17; and Annabella Calhoun, age 12; and his two great-grandchildren, Jaylin Applewhite, age 7, and Jaiden Applewhite, age 2, all of Oregon. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, as well as a multitude of brothers and sisters in Christ, many of them from his beloved home church, Grace Church, in Waco, Texas, and many others from across the country and around the world with whom he was blessed to share fellowship and worship.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Johnny Calhoun, age 3 (1945); his brother, Richard Calhoun, age 55 (2001); his father, William Calhoun Sr., age 86 (2003); his brother, William Calhoun Jr., age 72 (2012); and his mother, Johanne (Christensen) Calhoun, age 104 (2025). Over the years, he also lost a number of other family members and loved ones.

Services

Visitation: Monday, November 9, 2026, 5:00–6:30 p.m., Grace Church Waco

Funeral: Monday, November 9, 2026, 6:30 p.m., Grace Church Waco

Burial and graveside service: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m., Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite children's or Christian charity or organization.