Gary L. Calhoun

Gary Lin Calhoun died Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was 70 years old and had been in declining health since Christmas.

Gary was born June 16, 1952 in Rochester, IN the second son of Donald A. Jr. and Marilyn (Zentz) Calhoun. Growing up on Walnut Street in Argos, he enjoyed playing with neighborhood friends known to many as the Walnut Street Gang. Gary belonged to Santa Anna United Methodist Church. Along with his brother Steve, Gary held a paper route, the proceeds of which provided shared comic books and movies at the Cozy Theatre. Gary attended Argos Co. Schools, graduating part of the class of 1970.

Upon graduation he chose Purdue University for further study. Noting the lack of available female students, he transferred to Indiana State University in Terre Haute. Subsequently, he met another new student, Ginger Delli Gatti, was smitten, and married Miss Ginger after completing their degrees August 3, 1974. They were married in Evansville, IN at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

The couple returned to Argos where Gary worked for Gates and Calhoun Chevrolet and later Don Calhoun Chevrolet in Plymouth. They lived in Argos, Blue Lake, then purchased the prior home of their grandparent’s farm in Argos. Gary worked forty hours a week, drove 10 hours a week and attended Valparaiso School of Law full time. He was a licensed real estate broker and insurance agent. Gary was one of 4 to qualify to take the bar exam and the only one to pass at the end of his second year, one year prior to his graduation from Valparaiso School of Law.

In 1984 Gary was the first student at Valparaiso Law School to sit as a trial court judge for the Argos Town Court while still attending law school. After graduating he took a job at the Indiana Court of Appeals clerking for Judge William Conover while still continuing to serve as a trial court judge in Argos. In 1986 to 1988 he was a judicial law clerk of the United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Indiana. From 1988 to 1993 he worked at the law firm of Gallueci, Hopkins and Theisen PC Fort Wayne, IN. During this time, the Calhouns purchased their first lake home at Blue Lake.

In 1993 Gary was appointed Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge by Governor Evan Bayh. Needing to reside in the county, the Calhouns built a home on Lake Tippecanoe, which Gary often called God’s Lake. He served in that position until 1995. From 1995 until his retirement, Gary served as supervising attorney for UAW legal services in Kokomo, IN. Gary’s quick wit and artful delivery of the English language served him well as lawyer. He was a masterful storyteller and effective negotiator. His writings were published in multiple journals, magazines, and papers, as well as once being quoted on the front page of the New York Times.

Sharing the Calhoun infatuation for anything that floats or runs on wheels, Gary and Ginger were members of Hoosier Old Wheels, driving a 1964 Corvair convertible. His interest in lake property resulted in their second home on Lake Tippecanoe. He and Ginger were active in the annual lake association tenderloin and fish fry at Camp Crosley. Gary served as the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners President from 1997 – 2001 and again in 2004 – 2006. He was awarded the Property Owners Distinguished Lake Citizen Award in 2002. He helped found the Environmental Lake and Watershed Foundation in 1997 as well as the Blue Lake Environment and Shoreline Foundation.

Memberships included Warsaw Optimist Club and Vice-President 1995-97, Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity. He served in Argos Lion’s Club, and Argos Alumni Association. He was a member of the Mason Lodge. Affectionately called the “water pig” by family, he volunteered as Lake Patrol Officer for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for Lake Tippecanoe.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, Donald Calhoun, Jr.; his brother, Stephen Calhoun; grandparents: Arthur and Glenn Zentz; Donald Calhoun, Sr.; and Cora Calhoun. Deceased in-laws included: Vito and Marilynn Delli Gatti; and sister-in-law, Candy Clifford.

Gary is survived by his wife, Ginger Calhoun of Argos, IN; his mother, Marilyn Calhoun of Plymouth, IN; a brother, Brian (Pam) Calhoun of Plymouth, IN; and sister-in-law, Deborah Calhoun of Plymouth, IN; brother-in-law, Dennis Clifford of Fishers, IN; nephews: Brandon (Shanta) Calhoun; Brian (Erin) Clifford and family: Anthony, Emma, Noah, and Maxwell. Family also included a niece, Allison Calhoun (Shanna Randall); and the Delli Gatti cousins.

God provided close friends and their families who became their “children”: Chad Bailey and family; Kirk (Vicki) Bailey and family; the Tracy and Tucker Thayer families; Downey, Reichert, and Weavers. Devon and Elma Kitch, to whom we share so many fond memories of gathering together. Four legged children included: Petunia; Magnolia; Rosebud; Buttercup; Sweet Pea; and Jasmine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners, Inc. (P.O. Box 224, Leesburg, IN 46538), or to The Watershed Foundation, (c/o Lake City Bank, P.O. Box 1671, Warsaw, IN 46581). Alzheimer's Association contributions in his name provides research.

Organ donation and subsequent cremation followed death. A time of celebration and fellowship will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Wooded Knot (4655 IN-10, Tippecanoe, IN 46570) with Celebrant James Smart presiding. A short program is to begin at 11:30 a.m. A meal will be provided. The family invites you to come and share memories.

Thank you to all our friends and community for your support during this difficult time.

Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home is honored to be providing services in celebrating the life of Gary and wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family.

Friends are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at: www.deatonclemensfh.com.