John Thomas Callen, 1944-2021

John was the third of five children born to two wonderful, caring and hard-working parents, Tom and Pearl Callen. He and his siblings Martin, Marjorie (Midge), Clyde and William (Bill) were raised on the family farm in Sagle, Idaho. Even after John left home, he would spend his summer vacations helping on the farm, which his family built from the ground up. There they lived a happy life making wonderful memories that have passed down to their children and grandchildren.

In high school John was involved in FFA and band. Once John graduated from Sandpoint High School, he attended North Idaho Junior College in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho, and then moved to Moscow, Idaho, where he attended the University of Idaho and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in the Environmental Health Sciences.

John married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and they had two children, Tom and Sherrill. After that marriage ended, he found his life partner, Sue, and they were married 34 years. He carried on the family values of being a loving, caring and hard-working parent to his children and was very supportive of them, even though he liked to play practical jokes on them at Christmas time.

John enjoyed all types of sports and was a regular part of sporting events, whether coaching, refereeing, umpiring or just watching. In addition to sports, he and Sue were very accomplished square dancers at numerous events over the years. He relished the outdoors, typically taking the road less traveled, and would drive down roads just to see where they went. He was also a practical joker with a very dry sense of humor and a ready smile.

John worked throughout Washington state as a health inspector. There were many people who knew him and he was well liked and respected. With his ready smile he would tell jokes and hand out health violations — and it wasn't past him to do both at the same time.

After retiring in Washington state, John continued his career as a health inspector in one of the busiest places for food on earth, Las Vegas. He enjoyed the people he worked with and those he dealt with on a daily basis, which is why, when once again he retired, he picked up consulting and helped restaurants educate and train their employees to do better.

Once he finally decided that he had worked enough, John enjoyed puttering around in his desert garden which included his prized fig tree and picking up honey-do projects from Sue. He also enjoyed being his cat’s climbing totem pole, and having Toby surprise him by climbing up or jumping onto his shoulders.

Now John is back at the family farm and smiling down on his family and friends, and likely planning his next practical joke. He leaves behind his wife, Sue Callen; son, Tom Callen; daughter, Sherrill (Tim) Hartzog; step-daughter, Brianne Sharrar; brothers Clyde (Karen) and Bill (Louise) Callen; sister-in-law, Shirley Callen; grandsons, Jerimy Callen, Jonathon Callen, Jacob Callen, Dakota Callen, and Zackery Hartzog; granddaughter, Arionne (Waylon) Rowe; great-grandsons, Brendon and Roman Callen; great-granddaughters, Addison and Madelyn Callen; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his cat Toby.

The family will be having a celebration of life to share stories, memories and practical jokes. This will be on the family farm at 25 Callen-Crabb Road, Sagle, Idaho, at 2 p.m. on Saturday May 29, 2021.