Allen “Mike” Eugene Callis, born in Redart, Mathews County, on Dec. 15, 1934, left this world for a better place at the age of 86. Allen passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 27, 2021 in Gloucester Point. Allen graduated from Mathews High School, class of 1953, then attended Randolph-Macon College on a full football scholarship. After college, he enrolled in NNS Apprentice School where he excelled in basketball, football and baseball. When he graduated in 1960, Allen moved his family to Newport News where he and Shirley raised their four girls in the Ivy Farms neighborhood. At Newport News Shipbuilding, after holding many leadership positions, his career culminated as Outfitting Trades Administrator. He retired from the Shipyard in 1992, then continued his career in Savannah, Georgia, with Heflin and Williams/Global Piping as Vice President of Operations to oversee the installation of pipe systems on Navy ships and eventually private yachts. He fully retired at age 82.
Allen was very generous in giving of his time and utilizing his resources to help others. If asked of him, you would receive. He was a faithful servant to Christ and served as Deacon and Sunday school teacher in many churches over the years. He loved his children, grandchildren and neighborhood children and was always a big presence in our lives. A very special thank you to the MIH ER staff (Teryk, PA, and Jaharrica, RN) and third floor staff at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Eva Hernandez, his caretaker, Dr. Scott Kruger who has always been there for our dad and was our calm through this stormy journey and all the staff at Personal Touch Hospice. The biggest thanks to our sister Julie for opening her home to give our father a safe, dignified, loving environment to spend his last days.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Shirley Broaddus Callis of Gloucester; his parents, Arthur and Gladys Callis; brother, Robert Lewis Callis of Redart; sister, Josephine Hudgins of Gwynn’s Island. He is survived by his four daughters, Sheila Stallings (Stan), Ella Darlene Clebowicz (Marty), Allena Whippo (Jeff) and Julie Olsen (Pete Hontos); his grandchildren, John Allen Dixon, Mary Katherine DePasquale (Josh), Bobby Dixon (Casey), Stanley Stallings, Julie Stallings Bowers (Farley), Samantha Whippo, Zachary Whippo, Alan Whippo (Katie), Daryn Olsen, Emma Olsen, Sarah Olsen; his great-grandchildren, Analeigh Dixon, Lincoln Glaser, Peyton Dixon, Kinsley, Riley and Wesley Bowers, and Elizabeth and Sophia Whippo. A graveside service, conducted by Alan DeFriese, was held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 1 p.m. in Windsor Gardens Cemetery, 80 Soles Lane, Dutton, Virginia. Following the service, the family received friends at 7465 Matoaka Ave., Gloucester Point, Va. In memory of our dad, please consider a donation to the Peninsula Rescue Mission, 3700 Huntington Avenue, Newport News, Va. 23607.