Oscar Calvin, Jr.

   Oscar Calvin, Jr. was born on September 30, 1951, to Oscar Calvin, Sr. and Josephine Bullock Calvin. He was appreciated for his mild and quiet manner. He was a man of few words; however, Oscar made an impact on all he met and embraced. Behind this mask was a man of integrity, generosity, and intense love for his family. Every Christmas and birthdays, he sent cards to all family members which included children. He enjoyed genealogy and was actively researching the Calvin family history and his children’s extended family history.

Oscar grew up in a close-knit family. He lived at what was known as the “Kool-Aid house”; all of the neighborhood kids hung out there and were treated as family. His closest friends were Chauncey Jackson, Robert Easterwood, Lawrence Frazier, and Orange Meeks; and boy could they tell you some stories about the mischief they got into.

Oscar graduated from Sumner High School in 1969 and he participated in their class reunions. He was embraced by the class of 1968 and became an active participant in their post graduation activities throughout the years.

Oscar Calvin, Jr. enlisted in the Army in the early 1970’s. During this time, young men were being drafted to support the Vietnam war at the most intense part of the conflict, with American soldiers having some of the highest of casualties. To volunteer to join the Army and go fight in a war where the United States was losing shows great insight about Oscar Junior’s character. Throughout his career he also served during the Panama Conflict and in Korea.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Oscar Calvin, Jr. received numerous medal, badges, decoration, and  campaign ribbons. Among them were the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal 6x, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. He also received the Overseas Service Medal 4x, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon 3x, as well as the Sharp Shooter Badge (M-16). 

SFC Oscar Calvin, Jr’s positions included: Communications Supervisor for 7 years 11 months, Joint Tactical Systems Operations Supervisor for 1 year 1 month, and a Tactical Communications Chief for 12 years 1 month, which overlapped with being Unit Level Communications Maintainer for 7 years 5 months.

Oscar Junior had two marriages, both of which ended in divorce because as he laughingly said, he was married to the Army. To these unions, there were 5 children: Nichole, Oscar III, Simone, Christopher, and Jeremy.

He is predeceased by his parents Oscar and Josephine Calvin, only brother, Reginal Calvin, and grandson, Nekko Smith.

Oscar Junior leaves his children,Nichole Calvin, Oscar Calvin III, Simone Tolbert, Christopher Calvin (Chandra), and Jeremy Calvin to mourn and cherish the memory of him. He also leaves his sisters Marsha Powell and Maria Wright, an Uncle, John Bullock, as well as his grandchildren Scott M. Smith (Darrelyn), Jhanice Wright, Solomon Johnson, Madelyn Garner, Christopher Calvin Jr, Charlotte Calvin, Chatham Calvin, Miriam Calvin, Jeremy Calvin Jr, and JayMichael Calvin, plus his great-grandchildren Amaré Smith, and Aliyana Smith; with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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