John Calvin Sjolander

John Calvin Sjolander, 91, went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2015 at Swan Manor senior facility in Baytown. He was born in Cedar Bayou, November 3, 1924 to John Celestine and Ellen Cecila Sjolander where he spent his whole life. Known by all his friends as Calvin he was a WWII veteran and served in the U.S. Army, 78th Infantry Lightening Division. Shortly after returning from the war he began his career at Exxon Refinery as a carpenter in the maintenance department. In 1985 he retired with 38 years of service. Through the years Calvin and his family were members of several Baytown churches; Central Assembly, Trinity Tabernacle and most recently, Cedar Bayou Baptist. He will be most remembered for his kind heart, loving smile, and helpful hands. Everyone who knew Calvin was aware of his love for football. He was an avid fan who loved to watch his sons and grandsons play the game as well as his passion for the Dallas Cowboys. To him there was no other professional team. John Calvin will be greatly missed by his family and friends but they are confident that he is now in the presence of the Lord, reporting for duty and helping out heaven's effort in anyway that he can!

Calvin was proceeded in death by his loving wife Eleonora. He is survived by four children; Charlotte Lum and husband Bobby of Kerrville, son Louis Hawthorne and wife Linda of Crosby, Son Herbert and wife Jean of Baytown and daughter Debbie Fling and husband Ross of Uvalde; 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Jake Hoot, Chad Gilbert, Gabe Hawthorne, Shane Hawthorne, Shawn Hawthorne and Stanton Fling. Honorary pallbearers will be grandson Jesse George and faithful friend Tommy Standard.

The family wants to extend their heart felt appreciation to the administrators and staff of Swan Manor and Faith Community Hospice for their kindness and loving care of their father.

His family will receive friends at Navarre Funeral Home Sunday, January 3, 2016 from 3 to 5 p.m. A service celebrating his life will be Monday, January 4th at 10:00 a.m. at Navarre Funeral home in Baytown. Burial will follow at White Cemetery in Highlands. Reverend Mark Broussard will officiate.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.