John Thomas McCallum, at 99 years of age, passed away on August 14, 2022.  John was born August 3, 1923 at his family home in the Tabor community of Brazos County, Texas to Alex and Maggie (Josey) McCallum.  He was raised on the family farm and graduated in 1940 from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan, Texas.  John was affectionately known as JT, Dad or Grandpa by family and friends who know and love him.

John was gentle, kind, humble, and generous.  He was a man with little ego, giving freely of his time, humor, compassion, and big smile to show others that he cared for them.  John held himself to the highest standards, with a sense of honor and duty in his personal and business life that was a model for those who lived and worked with him.  John's love of family, strength of character, inquisitive mind, attention to detail, determination, sense of humor, and renowned stubbornness were hallmark traits of this great man.  John was incredibly practical and wise.

John was a veteran of two foreign wars, World War II and Korea, and was proud of his military service.   In World War II, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp and served on active duty from November 4, 1942 through September 13, 1945.  He was based at Foggia, Italy and served as a gunner on a B-17 Bomber.  He flew 50 missions in the following battles and campaigns:  Rome, Arno, Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland.  He was recalled for service during the Korean War. Commissioned a 2 ^nd Lt, he served in Germany as an Airborne Electronics Maintenance Officer.

Second Lieutenant McCallum was awarded the following:  Air Medal (15 ^th Air Force, July 1944); Presidential Unit Citation (15 ^th Air Force, July 1944); Europe/Africa/Middle East Campaign Medal with 6 campaigns – 5 Bronze Stars, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters (July 1944); Distinguished Unit Badge (Oct 1944); Good Conduct Medal (Sept 1945); World War II Victory Medal (July 1945); Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII; Army of Occupation Medal - Germany (Nov 1952).

Following WWII, John married Sophie Mae Klintworth on March 8, 1948.  In 1950, he graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor/Science in Agricultural Engineering.  JT and Tip were a fun-loving, family and friend-focused couple.  They welcomed the birth of their first son, Donald Wayne, in 1954 and a second son, Gary Lee, born in 1958.  John's civilian career was with Morton Salt Company where he worked for 30 years until his retirement in 1984.

After the tragic loss of his dear wife Sophie in 1967, John and sons Don and Gary continued living in Richardson, Texas.  In 1971, John married Myrtle Witt with her sons Steve, Mark and Tim.  As empty-nesters in 2000, John and Myrt moved to Fredericksburg, Texas.  In 2019, John and Myrt moved to Fredericksburg's Heritage Place where they lived together until his death.

John Thomas McCallum is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Sophie Klintworth McCallum, son Gary McCallum, son Steve Witt, son Mark Witt, and his siblings, Alma Francis, Pearl Swann, Ella Mae Cooper, Alex McCallum Jr, Raymond McCallum, and Dell Sweeten Moomey.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Myrtle Witt McCallum; his sons and their spouses Donald McCallum and wife Cynthia, Tim Witt and wife Connie, Karla Witt (wife of son Steve Witt), and Laurie Witt (wife of son Mark Witt); grandchildren Victoria McCallum Fisher, John McCallum, Taylor Witt, Brian Witt, Karen Witt Hatley, B.J. Witt, Crystal Latham; Kary Cataldie, Whitney Hengestebeck, and Taylor Carver; and numerous great-grandchildren.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Heritage Place Director Connie Eckhardt and the amazing staff for their outstanding care of John and Myrt over the years.  Additionally, sincere gratitude is given Hill Country Hospice nurses. Their kind and compassionate care of Dad and his family was exceptional.

Per John's wishes, a family memorial and military honor service will be held privately.