He was born in Thomaston Ga. to Hardy and Mary Jo (Fowler) Callahan. Roy worked in the cotton mill and joined the Air Force at 18yrs. and served for 22 years. He married Susan (Baker,) his soul mate while stationed at Fairchild A.F.B. Spokane, WA in 1955 and they raised their five children.
He worked up to Chief Master Sergeant, on the flight line in the A.F. Retiring from the military he took up his calling to the ministry and was ordained into the Southern Baptist Convention. Evangelism was his passion and he took his message of salvation beyond the pulpit. He ministered to people lake side while fishing, hillside while hunting or in the wake of the death or the newness of love at one of the many funerals or weddings he performed. Roy earned his AA in science and his BA in Sociology and, psychology from, YVCC and CWU. Then, due to health problems, he retired from pasturing. He last worked at Labor and Industries for 14 yrs as a certified, CRS rehab consultant.
Roy solely provided so that Sue could live out her dream career as homemaker & mother. He was a loving husband and father. At age 65 he began to enjoy his retirement with family. He loved, camping, fishing and walking with his canine pal, Shatz. He also enjoyed, bird watching, gardening and souping up his veggies. His family loved the blissful stories he told of his childhood years growing up in Thomaston Ga.
Proceeding him in death are his parents, Hardy and Mary Jo Callahan and his brother, Alton Callahan. Roy’s is survived by his wife, Sue whom he referred to as his “Angel” Jeannie (Dan) Erickson, Joanie (Don) Callahan, Connie (Kim) Eisenzimmer, Roy Jr. (Jenni) Callahan and Bonnie (Dave) Downard, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Roy’s deep faith gifted with discernment of God’s word. He was inspirational with pet sayings to motivate people such as, “I can and I will” and “Onward and Upward!” Roy has gone onward and upward to Heaven and has left the beautiful memories of his spoken words which are profound upon the hearts of all who loved him so very much.
The Family wishes to thank the Doctors who gave Roy such wonderful care, Dr. Garfein, Dr. Krueger, Dr. Preacher, Dr. Sharp and Dr. Shively and many more.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 4, 2013 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. Graveside services to be held at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Kennewick WA. To share a memory of Roy, visit www.keithandkeith.com.
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