Gloria Calhoun

Gloria Davila Calhoun, age 88, of Britton, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2012, under the loving care of her daughter at Presbyterian Village North of Dallas, Texas. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, John “Leslie” Calhoun, in 1997. She is survived by her loving daughter, Cindy Calhoun, of Dallas, Texas and her son John Charles Calhoun (Jacqueline) of Clarklake, Michigan, Grandsons John R. Calhoun (Erika) of Britton, MI, Nathan C. Calhoun (Elizabeth) of Clarklake, MI and Preston Roll, of Dallas, Texas. Gloria also enjoyed the company of her six great-grandchildren John, Alicia and Kayla Calhoun of Jonesville, MI, Joshua and Lucas Calhoun of Clarklake, MI and Blake Calhoun of Britton.

Gloria met John Leslie Calhoun while she was attending business school in Laredo, Texas, where he was an Army Air Corps Flight Instructor during World War II. They were married in Mexico City, Mexico, on September 2, 1946, and settled on the Calhoun Family Farm in Tecumseh, Michigan, where she took on the role of farmer’s wife and mother. She became a member of the Raisin Presbyterian Church in Britton, MI and served as a Ruling Elder for many years. Gloria and Leslie later built Calhoun International Airport on their farm. Gloria served as Co-owner and Business Manager of the airport and Calhoun School of Aviation, where she was ever the cheerful, fun loving eternal optimist.

Returning to school in the US, Gloria received her Bachelors of Philosophy Degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Sienna Heights College in 1964 and her Master’s of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan (Magna Cum Laude) in 1968, where she also completed her Doctorial studies. She was a member of many intellectual and Literary Honor Societies, including being listed in the International Who’s Who of Intellectuals.

She enjoyed teaching in Tecumseh Public Schools, Tecumseh, MI, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor, MI, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, University of Texas at Dallas, TX and served as consultant on the Advanced Placement Committee at Princeton University, NJ for over twenty years. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. She taught not only Spanish, but also the important values in life. Her lifelong motto was, “It doesn’t matter how hard you fall; it is how you pick yourself up from the fall that matters.” She practiced that motto through the guidance she gave to students and non–students alike. Gloria truly felt that there was no such thing as a bad kid.

Following Gloria’s request to be cremated, a celebration of her life will be held in Tecumseh, Michigan next spring, allowing ample time for immediate family and extended family to make arrangements. Gloria requested that any memorial donations be sent to the Raisin Presbyterian Church. Please send to the attention of John Calhoun, 440 Oakwood, Clarklake, MI 49234.