Paul Evangelos Callas

Paul Evangelos Callas, 80 formerly of Enid, OK went to be with his Lord on Friday, January 8, 2016, with family by his side in Muskogee, OK. He was the son of Greek immigrant Evangelos James Callas, and Ernestine Bowyer Callas, born January 16, 1935 in Alva, OK. At an early age, Paul and his parents moved to Enid, OK. He attended various public schools, graduating from Enid High in 1953. In 1954, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Austria. Later, during a tour in Italy, he traveled to Athens to meet his aunts, uncle and many cousins. Paul was the first of the Greek-Americans to visit his father’s homeland. After completing his military service, he returned to Enid and enrolled in Phillips University. It was in an English class Paul met Bonnie Colleen Peck; they were married February 28, 1958. In 1960, he graduated with a double degree in Physical Education and Business Administration. In November 1963 Paul accepted the position of Recreation Therapist at the V.A. Hospital in Muskogee, OK. On January 16 1964, Colleen boarded a Greyhound bus in Enid, OK, with Craig and Annette along with suitcases and Paul’s birthday cake for their new home in Muskogee. In addition to the full time position at the V.A. Hospital, Paul managed his own real estate company, and was in the Air Force Reserves, stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK. Always someone to help others in need, Paul was an advocate for blood donation; he himself donated more than 30 gallons himself and encouraged others to donate as well. In 1985, Paul retired from the V.A. Hospital and the Air Force Reserves. After having travelled with family members to Greece in 1979 and again in 1984, he and Colleen begin a series of travel adventures including Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Spain, the Canary Islands, and Hawaii. Never one to be idle, Paul began to fill his retirement days with volunteer opportunities, including church mission work in Aldama, Mexico. In 2005, Paul and Colleen moved back to Enid to be near his sisters Katherine Wilson and Mary Helen Maxwell. They regularly attended Liberty Southern Baptist, and First Baptist Church. Paul played on numerous softball teams for many years. In 2007 he and his teammates brought home a gold medal in the 70-over silver bracket from the Summer National Senior Games of the Senior Olympics; Paul was an active member of the Senior League 75-over division until October 2014. In 2009 Paul and Colleen moved back to Muskogee, OK. Paul is preceded in death by his parents E.J. and Ernestine Callas; brother James Robert; sisters Katherine Wilson, and Mary Helen Callas Maxwell; daughter Annette. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Colleen; son, Craig; sister Norma Ruth Dodson, Nashville, TN; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and numerous friends. A celebration of Paul’s life will be Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the Circle of Life Event Center, 3022 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK, with Brother Jerry Holt officiating.

Paul Evangelos Callas

January 16, 1935 - January 8, 2016