Raymond Gene Callahan went to be with his Lord and Savior on 16 December, 2018. He passed away peacefully with his wife, and four children by his side. He is survived by his wife, Renate; brother, James; sister, Sharon; four children: Martin, Robert, Christopher, and Kathleen; and six grandchildren: Daniel, Madeline, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, and Maggie.
Ray, or “Cal”, as he was called by close friends and military colleagues, was born in Butte, Montana, on 28 July, 1943 to Nathan and Elizabeth Callahan. After graduating from Butte Central Catholic High School in 1961, Ray joined the U.S. Army and served 20 honorable years as a combat medic and surgical technician. His military service included a tour of duty in Vietnam and a couple tours in Germany. He met his wife, Renate, in Germany and they were married in 1966. He retired from the Army in 1981 and settled his family in Helena, Montana, where he worked as the assistant director of the Montana Veterans Employment and Training Service.
Ray was a loving husband and great father who enjoyed spending time with his family. He liked to go camping, fishing, hunting and cooking outside on the grill. Ray loved the Lord and served his parish as much as he could, instilling his strong Catholic faith in all his children. Ray was an active member in many different veteran organizations, wanting to help a vet whenever he could. The joy in his spirit and unconditional love for people was evident to everyone he met; a smile was always on his face.
He will be greatly missed until we see him again.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 21st at Our Lady of the Valley Church. A reception will follow the Mass in the fellowship hall of the Church. A burial with military honors will follow the reception at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Cal’s name are suggested to a memorial fund of your choice. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Cal.
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Thursday December 20, 2018
Our Lady of the Valley
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday December 21, 2018
Our Lady of the Valley
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Friday December 21, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Thursday December 20, 2018
Our Lady of the Valley
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Friday December 21, 2018
Our Lady of the Valley
1502 Shirley Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Friday December 21, 2018
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Rick Olson says
So sorry for your loss, I always enjoyed visiting with Ray .
Tyler says
I would like to send my sincere condolences to the family. I know this must be a truly difficult time. May you find real comfort knowing that soon there will be a time when there is no more death or suffering. This beautiful Bible promise is found at Revelation 21:3,4. With sympathy, Tyler.
Danielle says
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you at this time.(2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
Pat and Fred verzani says
We were so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. We will miss seeing his smile at Mass each Sunday.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
He is now at peace.
Blessings to all of you,
Terin hibl says
So sorry for your loss will always miss his smile and him saying hi when I’ve come over to visit you and kathleen …my thoughts and prayers are with you and Kathleen and rest of the family. Through this difficult time but know that he’s at peace no pain with our lord and savior jesus christ but I send my condolences to all of you. And that all of you are in my prayers daily.
Jamie (Olson) King says
I am so sorry for your loss. Such an amazing person, I haven’t seen him since I was little and Robert would babysit my sister and I. We would walk over to see the iguana and Cal and visit and I still remember years later what an amazing human he was and impact he made on me at a young age. My prayers are with you all.
Dawn Betts says
Dear “Miss Rainey” and Kathleen – Know that the Betts family sends sympathies to you and your family.
Gretchen Krumm says
Rene and Kathleen, the Krumm family offers our condolences and prayers to you and the rest of your family during this time of loss. We offer prayers for your peace.
Cindy Rivers says
Rene, Kathleen and the entire Callahan family, Jim and I send loving prayers during this most difficult time. We ask God to comfort you with peace, and surround you and your family with love. With our deepest sympathies.