John Frederick O'Callaghan

John Frederick O’Callaghan, 76, passed away on December 19, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.

John was born on November 29, 1946, in Orange, Texas, to Charles (Pete) and Iva O’Callaghan.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Steve O’Callaghan, and his grandson, Cody Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife, Marilyn O’Callaghan of Caledonia, his two sons, Chris O’Callaghan and Josh (Jennifer) O’Callaghan of Caledonia; his three daughters, Amy O’Callaghan and Megan Clark of Caledonia, and Holly (Brent) Shaw of Steens; fifteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren; Brother-in-law Jim (Kay) Wilson of Columbus; Sister-in-law, Anna Sanders of Portland, Oregon; two nephews and three nieces.

John graduated from Lee High School in Columbus in 1965 and attended Mississippi State University.  In 1966, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Wilson.  They were married almost 57 years.  Together they raised five children: Chris, Amy, Josh, Holly and Megan and helped raise two of their grandchildren, Emily Kate O’Callaghan and Chase Garrison.

John was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1966 and remained a faithful servant all his life.  He followed Jesus’ footsteps and held fast to his hope in the resurrection.  He served as a full-time minister in the late sixties to early seventies and helped many people learn Bible truths.  He was a wonderful teacher and public speaker and touched the lives of people all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

John worked hard all his life.  His first job was delivering the Commercial Dispatch on a bicycle.  Then as a teenager, he worked at his father’s glass business and a grocery store.  After he got married, he worked in construction and then his uncle’s glass shop.  In his early twenties, he started his own business, Johnny’s Automotive Wholesale.  He also owned and operated Master Line Custom Shop, Master Line Karaoke, L and K Auto Parts and co-owned and operated a body shop in Reform, Alabama.  He loved animals and for a short time, he owned and operated a reptile breeding business.  He also owned and operated several Mexican restaurants in Starkville, Vicksburg, Natchez, Brookhaven, Cleveland, Indianola, and Canton Mississippi.  Even in his later years, after he retired, he worked part-time as a school bus driver in Lowndes County and was a security guard with Armstrong Security.  He and his wife even taught country-western dance lessons.  But his favorite jobs were being a faithful husband, devoted father and grandfather, and a loyal servant of God.

John led a full, exciting life.  He traveled the world with his family.  He loved drag racing, restoring classic cars, scuba diving, fishing, and exotic pets.  He loved Ole Miss football and the Green Bay Packers.  He was a talented musician, as he played guitar, piano and the accordion.

At the time of his death, he expressed his love for his family by telling them all that he loved them and to “take care of Mama.”  His loss leaves a great void in our lives but we are thankful to have so many wonderful memories to cherish.

Funeral services will be held at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home, 716 Second Avenue North, Columbus, MS. 39701, on Saturday, January 7th, 2023.  Visitation will start at 2:00 P.M. and services at 3:00 P.M., conducted by Brother Billy Hood, from the Pontotoc Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

To view the online livestream services for Mr. O'Callaghan, please visit https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=32f5e5f8-0dd0-4449-b8d4-05009f0ca6c3