1SG (Ret) John Michael McCalmon

John Michael “Mac” McCalmon, ladies’ man, woodworker, food enthusiast, devoted dad, and grandpa, died in his home, surrounded by his children, on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 11:25am. Mac was a man of many skills and talent. He created magnificent works of art with wood and did the best sketch of Quick Draw McGraw this side of the Mississippi. He was a purveyor of magic whether it was something as simple as turning ingredients into an incredible meal, filling the underside of the Christmas tree with wild amounts of presents, or putting a giant watermelon in the garden so his daughters would think it grew overnight. He lived for seeing that sparkle in his loved ones’ eyes and putting a smile on their face. From Woodstock to Point Fest and every point in between, Mac loved music. He told wild stories of hanging out with his friend, blues legend, Johnny Winter, and hitch-hiking from one music festival to the next. He loved to remind us that he once saw Jimi Hendrix for only 25 cents. He shared his love for music with everyone around him and accompanied his son and his friends to every music festival within driving distance. He spent his later years never missing a live performance by Joe Bonamassa, one of his favorite blues musicians. Once upon a time, his daughters narrowly escaped fate when they accidentally recorded over his live recording of Jimi Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock. Everyone agreed that literally ANY punishment would have been justified but he didn’t make much of it. He taught us a lot of things. From making the best beef jerky to believing you could do anything, even if you’d never done it before, to loving the country that he so proudly served for 20 years. That feeding people was a way to share your love (the more the better) and that all work should be done with pride. He also taught us that you could empty a clip on a 9mm and still not kill the garden snake that spooked you and that touch-me-nots are enough to make a retired drill sergeant jump out of his skin and nearly pee his pants. These all proved to be valuable life lessons. He was a connoisseur of smart, strong, and beautiful women (bonus points if they were tall). Though his romantic interests were many, he is survived by the most important women in his life. The mother of his children, Ruth Keen of Saint Robert, MO. His daughters, Stephanie Miles of Crocker, MO, and Gwendolyn Miles of Dixon, MO. He is also survived by his beloved sisters, Geraldine, Judy, Frances, Bev, and his late brother’s wife, Doris. They say that behind every great man is an even greater woman and by those standards, it is possible that he may have been the greatest man to have ever lived. He shared many of his greatest loves like women, cars, motorcycles, fishing, Kansas City Chiefs football, Cardinals baseball and music with his son, Brock Blakemore of Saint Louis, MO. They spent many years traveling to different motocross events while Mac cheered on his son to many a victory. He was easily his son’s greatest fan and he made sure everyone knew. He also passed on his love for fishing, cars, and motorcycles to his grandsons, Joey, Caden, Kekoa, and Jonah. There was no denying that those boys were his pride and joy. Mac will be missed by many and most of all by those who called him “Dad” and “Grandpa”. Graveside services with military honors were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2021 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville, MO. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of John McCalmon and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

1SG (Ret) John Michael McCalmon

August 22, 1951 - April 4, 2021