Dr. Donald D. Calhoun, longtime member of Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2019. He was 93 years old.
All told, Calhoun served the OKWU community for 57 years, including 13 years as Chairman of the Board. In 1993, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the university. In addition, he has served the denomination in other respects, including as District Superintendent of the Iowa-Minnesota district and as a member of the board for the Wesleyan Investment Foundation, not to mention the many years he served as a delegate to Wesleyan General Conference.
“His service to the Lord and to what is now known as Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a gift your family has made in all of us that will last for an eternity.“
Born April 25, 1926, Calhoun lived a full and significant life. In 1944, he was drafted into the United States military, and spent 18 months in the Philippines with the 124th Infantry Division, eventually earning the rank of Corporal. He was married to Hazel Price in 1947, and the couple had two daughters, Nancy and Judi.
Dr. Jim Dunn, President of Oklahoma Wesleyan, sent a letter to the Calhoun family, which was read publicly at the memorial service on November 16. “On behalf of Oklahoma Wesleyan University… we want to say ‘thank you’ for sharing the life of Donald Calhoun with our university,” Dunn wrote. “His service to the Lord and to what is now known as Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a gift your family has made in all of us that will last for an eternity. The prayers, deliberations, donations, and promotion of this university have benefited thousands associated with OKWU and we are forever indebted to Donald Calhoun and you for this investment.”
Calhoun’s memorial service took place at Brooksville Wesleyan Church, in Florida, and served as a powerful testament to the spiritual legacy he leaves behind.
And even in death, Calhoun’s dedication to OKWU remains strong; rather than flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to a fund for ministerial students at OKWU. The link to give to this fund can be found here. The university itself has made a donation to this fund in honor of Calhoun’s life.
“The prayers, deliberations, donations, and promotion of this university have benefited thousands associated with OKWU and we are forever indebted to Donald Calhoun and you for this investment.”
