James Ronald Calvert

We celebrate the life of James Ronald Calvert, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend.   To most, he was known as Jim, but many in his family always called him by his middle name, Ron. 

Jim was born in 1931 in Guymon, Oklahoma.  Growing up in the Oklahoma panhandle, one of his earliest memories was of the Dust Bowl and the dust storm on Black Sunday in 1935.  Jim and his younger sister, Beverly, moved to California in 1938 with their mother.  Jim and Bev moved around a lot during their childhood in central California and formed a very close relationship that lasted Jim’s whole life.  Jim graduated from Roosevelt High School in Fresno in 1949. 

Jim was very close to his nephews and niece, Jerry, Glenda, and Bill, and always enjoyed spending time with them.

Jim joined the Air Force and served from 1950 – 1954 as an airplane mechanic and was stationed in England, Illinois, and Southern California.

Jim worked for the US Forest Service for seven fire seasons and fought fires all over California.  He loved being in the mountains and had great memories of working near Yosemite at the North Fork Station in the Sierra National Forest. 

During this time, Jim graduated from Fresno State.  With savings from his work at the Forest Service, Jim and a friend traveled around Europe for several months during 1960.  Jim particularly loved Spain.

In 1962, Jim started to work for the IRS and lived in San Francisco and Merced.  A few years later, he decided to study for a Masters degree in Political Science at Fresno State. 

 To finance his continuing education, Jim became a social worker in 1968 for Fresno County.  It was there that he met his future wife, Dorthy.   Jim and Dorthy were married in August 1969 at a Mennonite church in Fresno. 

In 1971, Jim received his Masters degree and started to work for the State of California as an adjustor for the State Compensation Insurance Fund.  The couple attended the Methodist Church in Highland.  In 1974 and 1975, Jim and Dorthy welcomed two children, Matthew and Rebecca. 

In 1978, Jim had the opportunity to transfer to the California Highway Patrol in Sacramento, working in their Disability and Retirement division.   The family moved to Citrus Heights and lived there for the next 42 years.   In 1979, their third child, Jonathan, was born.

Jim was a wonderful father to his three children. He loved his family deeply and believed in the potential of those around him.  Jim’s belief in others and his delight in their successes were powerful gifts.  

Jim enjoyed skiing with his family and he also liked practicing baseball and soccer with his kids. On the sideline and off the field, Jim was an enthusiastic fan.  

Jim and his family were members of Fair Oaks Presbyterian and later attended Centerpoint Presbyterian Church in Roseville. 

Jim loved to visit museums and national parks.  He enjoyed camping with family and he planned road trips across the western United States.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed a few cruises to the Mediterranean and Baltic and went to China to celebrate his 80th birthday.    Jim also pursued genealogy, read histories voraciously, and continued his life-long love of photography and airplanes.

When his son, Matt, was injured in a skiing accident in 2004 and became a quadriplegic, Jim and Dorthy took a primary role in supporting Matt.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren, Cecily, Laney, and Caleb.  They loved his warm bear hugs.

In the last years of his life, Jim battled Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body dementia and he continued to care for his family.  Jim loved when Matt would read to him.  Jim received great care from Dorthy, who brought happiness to his life to the end.  Jim suffered a stroke and passed away a few days later on November 18, 2020.

As we remember Jim, we think of the values that he held dear.   Jim always expressed the deep love he had for his family.  He frequently repeated the Golden Rule, reminding us to “treat others the way that we want to be treated.”   He recognized that everyone has unique talents and he believed that we have the responsibility to use those gifts to their fullest.   Jim liked to repeat the quote attributed to Winston Churchill  to “never, never, never give up.”

Jim will remain in our hearts and memories and will continue to influence our lives through his example of a strong work ethic, commitment, support and love.

In the words of Revelation 21:4, “God will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  All these things are gone forever.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association or the charity of your choice.

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