Henry Mccalister

Henry Lee McCalister was born on January 7, 1946, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to his parents, Toni Lee Ward and Essie Mae Holeman. He was the fifth child born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Billy Earl, Jesse Lee, Richard Ezell and his sisters, Erma Lee and Angela Sue. As a child, he loved playing cowboys and Indians. A favorite childhood memory was that of Henry as an Alter Boy in church and being a person who set an excellent example for others to follow. He was a hard-worker and truly made a difference. Henry received his formal education in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He eventually relocated to Denver, Colorado. It was while in Denver, he met and later married the former wife, Gwen Robinson. To this union, Leon, Donna, and Erma were born. He was also a special father figure to Kasey James. Henry united in holy matrimony to the former Willie Jean Alford Roberts in Aurora, Colorado. With this union, he became the step-father of Michelle and LaTonya. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, whose primary concern was to care for and nurture his family. Willie Jean fondly remembers them reciting the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer nightly. She also remembers the Saturday routine of watching Westerns on television, Rifleman and Gunsmoke were his favorites. She loved his deep voice and often told him "he should do commercials." Henry was later blessed with fourteen grandchildren, Inez, Christian, Sabastian, Avery, Audric, Gabbi, Shakur, Chase, Kayla, Anthony, Jr., Theo, Monet, Trevon and Lyric who all were additional sources of joy and pride in his life. They fondly remember his jovial personality and spending quality time with him. The family lovingly called him "Hank", "PaPa" or "PaPa Hank". By profession, Hank was employed by the Aurora Public Schools as a Supervisor of the Custodial Staff. He worked for several years at Hinkley High School and he retired after more than 25 years of faithful and dedicated service. A man of faith and belief in the Lord, Hank worshipped at the Park Hill United Methodist Church in Denver. He served under the pastoral leadership of Reverend John L. Thompson. He attended regularly until his health began to decline. Hank was a fun-loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled. In his free time, he was an avid sport enthusiast. He loved attending the Denver Nuggets home games. He enjoyed playing ping-pong, dominoes, visiting Black Hawk and driving his Corvette with his wife, Willie Jean as his passenger. His closest friends were, Adrain, Luanne, Lloyd, Boney, and Michael. His comedic personality and unique way of telling a joke will be missed, having listeners left to guess is he serious or is he joking until he let out his unique Hank laugh. He was a true and trusted friend. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful man. To know Henry was to love him. Henry Lee McCalister departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on September 5, 2015, in Aurora, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his loving and devoted wife, Willie Jean McCalister of Aurora, Colorado; his son, Leon McCalister of Lancaster, CA; 4 daughters, Erma Y. McCalister, Donna M. McCalister, Michelle D. (Anthony) Collins all of Denver and LaTonya J. (Leonard) Jackson of Aurora; 1 sister, Angela Sue (Pastor William) Collins of Denver; 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Hank fought a good fight. He will not be forgotten!

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 9/13/2015 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 9/14/2015 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 9/14/2015 - Following to Services Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 9/14/2015 - Following Interment Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 2428 Ogden Street, Denver, CO