Charles Allen McCallum, age 68, died unexpectedly at his home in Syracuse, Utah on Tuesday October 3, 2018. Allen was born January 25, 1950 at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah to Tommy Lee and Maxine Green McCallum. Allen came from a large, loving family and was the second oldest of 7 children.
Allen attended grade school at Verdeland Park, Crestview and Whitesides Elementary, all in Layton. He spent his Junior High years at Central Davis in Layton. He graduated from Davis High School in 1968.
Just three weeks ago he attended his Davis High Class of 1968 50th Class Reunion. Allen enlisted in the US Navy in August of 1968. Serving his country was an important tradition in the McCallum family with his father, brother, and uncle having served in the Navy as well.
He served aboard the USS Oriskany and the USS Constellation during the Vietnam War and later at Da Nang AFB. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy on September 19, 1972 with the rank of E-4. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran, though he was often quiet about his time spent there.
He married Kristine Murdock on March 8, 1969 in Kaysville, Utah. They were married 26 years and divorced in August of 1995 after having 3 children; John, Ashley, and Amelia. Allen and Kristine remained friends and had a mutual love and respect for each other.
Allen attended Weber State College and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry in 1978. He was employed at Hill Air Force Base first as an instrument and radar technician, and later as a Physical Sciences Technician in the Chemistry Lab. He retired in 1995.
Allen was a proud member of the Hostlers Model Railroad Club, Northern Utah Scale Modelers Association, and a model train enthusiast club known as the Friday Night Group (FNG). He was also the Project Designer and Engineer for the Wattis-Dumke Model Railroad Museum at the Ogden Union Station where he still volunteered his time every Wednesday. Dad’s train modules were his pride and joy.
He gladly dedicated his leisure time to making sure they were of the highest quality and finest detail and enjoyed showing them off to everyone. Allen always made the most of his life. He loved photography, skiing, listening to all kinds of music, playing golf, reading endless amounts of books, bird watching, and creating beautiful oil and watercolor paintings.
He never went anywhere without his beloved Lionel Trains coffee cup. Allen had a quick wit with quite the unique sense of humor. He was a very laid back guy that everyone enjoyed being around.
He was incredibly intelligent and had a vast knowledge of a variety of subjects. He loved all of God’s creatures but had a special interest in insects. He could tell you everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about the anatomy of a fly.
Affectionately known as G-Pa, the pride and love of his life were his three children and his two wonderful granddaughters, Kaylee and Kaitlyn. We spent many good times as a family goofing off, going out to eat, having countless hours of random conversations and laughter, playing very relaxed games of golf, exploring museums, hiking up at Snowbasin and going to numerous train shows. G-Pa was always laughing and always had a good story to tell.
He will be so terribly missed. Our family will never be the same without him. Allen is survived by son John McCallum, Ogden; daughters Ashley (Ryan) Cornia, Layton; Amelia McCallum, North Ogden; granddaughters Kaylee and Kaitlyn Cornia, Layton.
Brothers Wayne (Teri) McCallum, Ogden; James McCallum, Ogden. Sisters Judy (Tim) Blackner, South Weber; Christine Chambers, Ogden; Joanne (Bill) Whitesides, Layton; Bobbie Green, Layton, and way too many nieces and nephews to count. Memorial Services will be held Friday October 12, 2018 at 11a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary 1867 N Fairfield Rd.
, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Military Honors to follow after the service.
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