Callison, Clyde (Les) L.

Clyde Leslie (Les) Callison Jr. went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, November 9, 2018.  He was born on April 28, 1941 to Clyde and Kristine Callison in Russell, Kansas. He grew up in Caldwell, Texas, along with his sister, Linda Key. Les met and eloped with Sharon (Becky) Blaydes in 1961, and they remained lovingly married these 57 years.

Les graduated from Baylor University in 1963 with a degree in English Literature. He attended Southwestern Seminary, preparing for vocational ministry when God redirected his path toward a career in commercial real estate.  He built a successful business serving individuals, nursing home facilities, churches, municipalities and school districts. He treated his clients with the care and attention that he felt they always deserved.

Les loved being a “coach” and served boys youth football along with his brothers-in-law, Bill and Bart Blaydes, through Pop Warner programs, winning the National Championship in 1983.  With deeper roots in Oklahoma, he was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation and took delight researching and sharing stories from his American Indian heritage.  Among friends, his storytelling and antics earned him the nickname Chief Runamok.  In recent years, he served house-bound elderly through the local Meals on Wheels program with Becky.

Les was a man of deep faith, even though it often played out in non-traditional avenues. In addition to serving in various lay ministry roles at Park Cities Baptist Church (Sunday School teaching, Junior Board of Deacons), he ministered to many people across all of his relationships and networks.  He loved the Lord and was a serious student of the Bible.  His faith was expressed through his lavish generosity, his concern for others, his honesty and integrity.

Les loved his family, starting with Becky and including his children and grandchildren. He took tremendous pleasure in watching all of them play sports, perform on stage, and just being “present” in their various activities. Les is survived by his wife, Becky, his sister and brother in law (Linda and Kenneth Key), his three adult children and their spouses (Les Callison III and Pam, Dudley Callison and Laura, Mary Beth Callison Hickman and Josh), and his eight grandchildren (Shelby, Justin, Christopher, Abby, Molly, Calli, Macie and Claire). 

The family would like to extend a special word of gratitude to Dr. Toral Patel, Dr. Heather Adair and the many wonderful caregivers at the Zale-Lipshy Hospital of the UT Southwestern Medical Center.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 1, at 2:00PM in the Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church, with a reception to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would please ask you to prayerfully consider a special offering to your local church or a gift to scholarship kids to attend T Bar M Camps (www.tbarmcamps.org/camps).  

___________________________________________________________ A Signature Service under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 10116 E. Northwest Highway Dallas, Texas 75238 214-340-8008