Obituary: Calkins, Oscar C.

CALKINS,
Oscar C.
“Ozzie”
(Age 92)

Passed away Friday, August 10, 2012.

He was preceded in death by his son, Charles C. (Charley) Calkins.
He was born in Airlie, Oregon and moved to Spokane at the age of 4, graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, attended Washington State College and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity.
Oscar worked for Calkins Aircraft Company and trained pilots for WWII.

He also was an officer in the United States Army Air Forces, where he was assigned to the Air Transport Command.

During this assignment he flew the Hump from India to China, a dangerous 530 mile long passage over the Himalayan Mountains.

He was a long time Spokane businessman, owning and operating Calkins Manufacturing Company with his brother Dwight.
He was a Rotarian, a member of the Spokane Yacht Club, Spokane Exchange Club and member of Manito Golf and Country Club for over 68 years.
Ozzie was a lifelong pilot, an avid sailor and golfer.

He was also an incredible skipper, spending countless summers with his high school sweetheart and wife of over 69 years, Katie, family and friends on their boat “Ticki” and “Ticki Too” cruising from Anacortes through the Inside Passage as far North as Skagway and every place in between.
Ozzie’s surviving family includes his wife Kathleen “Katie” (McNulty) Calkins; son Jim and daughter-in-law Deborah Calkins, granddaughters, Kate and Stacey Calkins.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane.

Please visit Ozzie’s online tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.