Calvin Haslem Jr., affectionately known as “Buddy,” was born on November 26, 1957, in Marshallville, Georgia. He was the sixth of eight children born to Calvin Haslem, Sr., and Mary Jane Haslem. He attended school in Macon County Georgia, and at Findley Elementary, Jennings Junior High, and North High Schools in Akron, OH. During his high school years, he was a part of the Wrestling Team and was a very accomplished athlete. He graduated from North High School in 1976.

After high school, Calvin joined the U.S. Army in 1977. In the Army, he worked as an Aircraft Mechanic (with helicopters) and achieved Expert status with small arms (M16 rifles, hand grenades, etc.). He was honorably discharged in 1979. After leaving the Army, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he would reside for many years. He returned to Akron in 1995, to be near family.

Calvin held various jobs including positions in factory work and a lumber mill in Atlanta, and at Valley View Nursing Home, Quick Key and Rally’s in Akron. He especially enjoyed having a good time with family and friends. We often looked to Buddy on holidays to “man the grill.”

Calvin was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church for many years, where he was a member of the Senior Choir. He later joined Shiloh Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Choir, Men’s Ministry and Men’s Chorus.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin Sr. and Mary Jane, sisters, Ruthie Haslem, Mary L. Bell, and Mary E. Johnson, brothers-in-law, Willie J. Smith and William E, Bell (Scrapper), nephew, Ryan Johnson, and great-nieces Emonnie Parham, Savannah Haslem, Rachelle Johnson and great-great niece, Lindsay Michelle Rigby.

He is survived by sisters Bettye Ferguson, Gwen Smith, and Willie R. Porter, brothers Teddie Haslem and Keith Johnson, one daughter, LaQuesha Haslem, and MANY nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Buddy was a lot of fun to be around and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. The gatherings will be a little less fun without him, but our fond memories of him will carry us through.