Neal Lawrence Calkins

May 19, 1904 – April 17, 2018

Neal Lawrence Calkins was born in Burlingame, Kan., and raised in Harveyville and Wichita, Kan. As a small child he watched his grandfathers as they worked on their farm machinery. This is where his interest began with machinery.

At the age of 17, and with his family’s blessing, Neal joined the United States Navy. He was assigned to submarines for a couple of years. He went on to surface ships and spent the next 18 years in Ship’s Machinery Repair. Neal spent time on ships in the Vietnam waters and one year in country as an advisor and a total of 13 years in the Orient. Naval training and experience allowed him to advance in rank to Chief Petty Officer.

Before Neal retired from the Navy, he met Pamela Ray Glasscock, a mother of three. They were married Feb. 8, 1975. As time went by two more children were added to his family.

Neal and his family moved to Lynnwood, Wash. and later Everett, Wash. when he retired from the Navy on June 15, 1977. Here Neal used his experience and training to secure jobs at various companies as a machinist and later a toolmaker.

Neal retired from his civilian job as a toolmaker May 31, 2003. He moved with his wife to Moses Lake, Wash. to relax and enjoy retired life. He volunteered with the Grant County Democrats for a few years. He also became an avid reader and was at the library often. He loved having his family around him and often his house was filled to overflowing.

Neal is survived by his wife Pamela Ray Calkins, daughter Barbara E. Heil, sons Lloyd B. Glasscock and Robert R. Glasscock, daughter Virginia L. Jolly, son Bryan N. Calkins, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial and potluck will be held in McCosh Park May 19, 2018 at 3 p.m. The memorial will be located behind the tennis courts, in the sheltered area. This is the kind of event Neal always enjoyed.