John L Calender

John L Calender was born on November 7, 1953 in Greensburg, Indiana to Monroe and Martha Jean (Coy) Calender.  He was the oldest of 4 children. 

He loved being on the farm with the animals, especially his dog, Tippy.  From his early days John displayed intelligence and a love of learning, specifically with his infatuation with cars as he had all the make and model of vehicles memorized at a very early age and also skipped 2nd grade.  When he was seven, his family moved from Indiana to Arizona.  He was the only one of the four kids who did music lessons and his skill earned him a spot playing clarinet in the Rose Bowl parade. He also played numerous sports, but wrestling was his favorite.  He was a busy kid in high school and graduated from McClintock HS in 1971.

He received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, where he completed three semesters. Due to stressors, many outside of his control, he decided to see what else God had in store for his life. Thankfully he did as on August 5, 1973 he met June Schlemmer and they married on July 12, 1974.  They built a family that was completed with the births of Jeffrey and Jana.

His calm demeanor, common sense and the ability to handle situations inspired a family friend to recommend he go in to law enforcement.  Another amazing plan that God had for his life, as he spent over 40 years as a police officer and in criminal justice. He started at Tempe Police Department in Arizona and patrolled the streets there from 1974 – 1983. He then moved to what was a smaller, but growing department closer to home and called Chandler Police Department family from 1983 – 2003. After being at the department the minimum year requirement for promotion, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (S6). He was a supervisor in patrol, as a motor, community services, DARE, and ran the Citizens Academy, which led him to create a Wives Academy for the officers wives.  His integrity and leadership earned him the position of Lieutenant (L7).  In 2003 he was selected for the Silver City, New Mexico Chief of Police position which he held for nearly two years, before he decided to retire. John always stayed true to his ethical and moral standards, while displaying compassion for people as he wore the uniform.  Employee development was something he felt strongly about and he assisted where he could with everyone he came in contact with. Fitness was always a priority in his life, partly due to his career, but also because he knew his body was gifted to him by the Lord and he wanted to live a healthy life.

In 1979, he moved his family to the rural town of Queen Creek, AZ.  Here, he and June were deeply involved in the community. They were on the board for the Citizens for Queen Creek, which helped the town become incorporated.  He was on the Queen Creek school board, to include the position of President, where he was able to give both Jeff and Jana their high school diplomas.  Queen Creek was a great place to raise a family and allowed them to have numerous animals; horses, dogs, goats, turkeys, pigs, etc, but once that first horse was bought in 1979, a great deal continued to occupy the Calender properties through the end.  John and Jeff had a love of race horses, and owned several which meant many hours at the race track, with a favorite being Prescott Downs.  He would spend hours studying horse magazines and could tell you the bloodlines of many horses.

In 2005, John and June moved to Texas, the state they had always been drawn to.  They have called Harwood their home for nearly 20 years, enjoying their 34 acres with many horses and dogs. He continued his criminal justice path working in a prison, as a correctional officer, education director, adult probation officer, and retired in 2020 as the Director of Intermediate Sanction Facility, in Gonzales.

Service was woven into every part of John’s life.  He was active in the AZ Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run, eventually being the State Director; served on the Chandler YMCA board of directors, to include Chairman, assisting in the development of a new YMCA; went on a mission trip to Haiti and gave of his time and wisdom any chance he could.  He also was an instructor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, developing an Introduction to Criminal Justice curriculum, from his diverse experiences in law enforcement.  He assisted many times with people obtaining their GEDs.  Lifelong learning was a true part of John and he earned his Bachelors in Business Administration in 1985, and his Masters in Public Administration in 1999, both from Arizona State University (home of the Sun Devils) where he was proud to be an Alumni, all while working full time and raising a family.

John was a faithful husband and he and June had just celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 12th.  He loved June dearly and was proud to call her his wife. They loved growing in their faith, serving their community, showing dogs, going on drives, watching their kids sports, sitting on the front porch appreciating life, and seeing their grandkids turn in to amazing young adults.

John was a tender father who loved watching and supporting Jeff and Jana’s sports and activities, was always a great example and always had time for his kids. He was patient and valued discussing future plans and goals for their lives. He loved the bond that they had through animals, playing catch or even having his kids ride along with him on patrol. He developed that same affection for supporting his three precious grandkids and tried to impart his wisdom on them and found such joy in their successes.

He was a man of strong faith and had a personal relationship with his Savior.  His life motto was “Fulfillment by service, salvation by grace”.  He led small groups, was a church treasurer, a deacon, a youth leader and a faithful member to his church.  His continuous personal development was also displayed in his faith as he was devoted to reading his Bible and always digging deeper into the Word. He strived daily to live a life that was pleasing to the Lord.

John had had leg pain for the last eight years, to include an arterial bypass, hip replacement, back surgeries and many other procedures and too many Dr appointment’s to keep track of.  On Dec 7, 2023 Doctors had finally determined the source of these issues and he was diagnosed with an ultra rare cancer, Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma.  On Feb 15, 2024 his right leg was amputated (something his daughter suggested years prior). This brought some temporary pain relief and hope. Sadly the cancer had spread to his lungs and despite treatments the tumors had taken over 90 percent of his lungs.  His life ended peacefully in the hospital with family by his side, six months exactly after his amputation.  John’s cancer was a one-in-a-million, just like he was a one-in-a-million guy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his father-in-law Clarence Schlemmer (died 7-21-24).

He is survived by his wife of 50 years: June; his siblings: Don (Cyndi) Calender, Sarah (Gary) Brimhall, and Nancy (Mike) Pappas; his children Jeff (Joanna) Calender, and Jana (Doug) Clifford; and three grandkids: Talon and Liberty Clifford and Jaden Calender; mother-in-law: Katherine Schlemmer, and many other family members.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Seydler-Hill.  There will be a visitation at Seydler-Hill in Gonzales, TX on Friday, August 23rd from 5-7pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 24th at 11am at Central Baptist Church in Luling, with a visitation an hour prior. An Arizona celebration of life will be held at a later date.  Per John’s wishes he has been cremated, as he was humble and never wanted a fuss made over him.

John wished that memorials be sent to Special Olympics, AZ Law Enforcement Torch Run or your charity of choice.

Friends may sign the guestbook and leave condolences by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, 906 St. Paul, Gonzales, TX