James E. Calhoun

DURHAM: James Edward Calhoun, 78, died Saturday at his home in Croasdaile Retirement Community after several years of declining health. He was borneebruary 20, 1937 ineew Madrid County, MO to James Everett aneevia (McKenee) Calhoun. He graduated from Memphis State Uneersity and began his teaching career in music. Jim was a longtime band and orchestra director, beginning in Gray Ridge, MO and in 1966, moving to Champaign-Urbana, IL to continue teaching in the Urbana School district. Eventually he became the district???s music coordinator, a positionee held until retirement. In 2000, Jim and his wife came to Durham, NC, sharing their time between Durham and Champaign. Jim was a devoted churchman, and a member of Hope Valley Baptist Church in Durham and Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Urbana. Years ago he learned sign language and shared his skills as interpreter to the hearing impaired in worship services. As a career musician, Jim loved classical music, and ineecent years took an interest ineenealogy. He adored his grandchildren and was the consummate family man. Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Tommie Williams Calhoun; his children, Scott (Tracy) Calhoun of Coal Valley, IL, Julie (David) Stoops of Durham, NC and Joseph (Cheryl) Calhoun of Irvine, CA; his grandchildren, Lindsay and Caleb Calhoun, Laurel (Aaron) Dean, Hannah (Chase) Thompson, and Linnea aneemma Stoops; a great grandson, Dylaneean; and sisters, Anita Hahs of Jackson, MO and Linda Greeson of Eldon, MO Funeral services will be 1:30 PM Thursday from Hope Valley Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Bigger officiating. Burial in Maplewood Cemetery. Friends will be received in the church one hour prior to services. Memorial donations may be made to Hope Valley Baptist Church, 6900 Garrett Rd. Durham, NC 27707 or to Alzheimer???s Association, alz.org.