Olyn Calhoon

Olyn Danford (O.D.) Calhoon Jr., 80, formerly of Colby, Kansas, died on Monday, May 2, 2016, in Logan, KS. from melanoma. O.D. was born on October 27, 1935, in Osborne, KS. to Olyn Danford Calhoon,Sr. and Nina Mae Eshbaugh Calhoon. As a child, he and his sister Carol Kay Calhoon Brooks spent time fishing, hunting, playing outside, and visiting relatives nearby. He spoke fondly of his time with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents in the Manhattan area at frequent family reunions. O.D. attended Colby High School where he played football and track, and he held the record in the 100 yard dash for many years. After he graduated in 1953, he joined the Army National Guard. On January 22, 1954, O.D. married his high school sweetheart, Carmelita Maxine Grady, at the First United Methodist Church of Colby. Together they went to college at Kansas State University where he also held the 50-yard dash record for many years. He worked as a land surveyor, at Western Well and Pump, as a farmer and as a salesman for Pioneer Seed. O.D. lived most of his life in Colby, where he had many friends who he greeted with, “Hey, guy.” He was usually telling jokes while enjoying a cup of coffee and always whistling while on the go (often to the doughnut shop). He spent Saturday nights at the country club with his good friends.  He enjoyed singing, playing cards, woodworking, fishing, and attending class reunions. With Carmelita, he rarely missed one of his daughter’s events or activities, and the Calhoon household is well-remembered as the spot for high school and CCC gatherings. He spent many happy times tickling his grandchildren and closely followed the activities of his family. The couple were great supporters of the Prairie Museum of Art and History and Pickin’ on the Plains. After Carmelita’s passing in 2003, O.D. married Joann Seeberger, who survives him, and the couple lived in Colby, Lindsborg, and Norton. He enjoyed spending time with Joann’s extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents (O.D.,Sr. and Nina Calhoon), first wife, Carmelita Calhoon, and brother-in-law, Charles W. Brooks. He is survived by his sister, Carol Brooks, Winter Garden, Fl; daughters, Catherine Desautels, Carbondale, CO, Crystal Nuss (Jason), St. Francis, WI, and Kelley VanHorn (Thurston), Woodbridge, VA; niece, Kimberly Brooks Blaylock (Rick) and nephew, Kerry W. Brooks (Tina); grandchildren, Lucas Labaw (Kim), Jennifer Labaw (Marcus), Kara Nuss (Mark), Ellen Price (Brock), Amanda Brown (Shaun), Melanie Dawson (Bryan), Danielle Godfrey (Eric); great-grandchildren Hudson and Grady LaBaw, Jamie Dollard, Madison Brown, Ella and Jake Dawson; and great nieces and nephews Charles D.Brooks, Corie Brooks, Michael and Brandon Brooks, and Dustin and Bailee Blaylock . O.D.’s remains were cremated through Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel in Colby, Ks. and will be buried at a future private family celebration. Memorials may be sent to the Thomas County Historical Society or to the American Melanoma Foundation