Lyle Samuel Calkins

Lyle Samuel Calkins, age 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 22, 2013. He was born on April 7, 1926 in Webster City, Iowa to Samuel and Gertrude Calkins, the 8th of 10 children. Lyle served in the Navy during WW II. He later attended night school and did sheet metal work. In 1953 he married the love of his life, Alta Ruth Burt. In 1958 he was accepted into the Border Patrol Academy in EI Paso, Texas. After graduation he worked in Chula Vista, CA; Pembina, ND; and Bellingham, WA for the U.S. Immigration Border Patrol. He retired in February of 1980. After retirement, he worked for several years at The Commercial Bank and 1st National Bank and was active in the community. He served on the North Coast Credit Union Board and was a past president of several organizations, including the Northwest Washington Holiness Association (10 years), Ankar Retirement Park (6 years), and the Bellingham Horseshoe Club. Lyle’s favorite recreations were fishing, wild game hunting, horseshoe pitching, traveling, and camping with his family. In retirement years he was involved with many wonderful friends in the Bellingham Horseshoe Club. He participated in several World Horseshoe tournaments and won a 4th place trophy at the World Horseshoe tournament in Greenville, Ohio in 1999. Lyle enjoyed reading Western Novels, history, and poetry. He was an avid reader and teacher of the Bible and loved to memorize poems and scriptures. Lyle had a great sense of humor and usually had a joke for every occasion. He was a popular MC at many public functions, banquets and special occasions. His greatest decision was at the age of 22 when he knelt at an altar and accepted the Lord into his life. He came to understand that it is God’s love that gives our lives worth and that we are called to consecrate our lives to God, worship Him, and faithfully follow Jesus Christ. He attended and served in many ways at Cornwall Church of God and loved his Lord and Savior. Those who preceded him in death are his parents and his brothers, Jim, Arthur, Earl and Bill and his sisters Esther, Neva, Ione, Evelyn and Thelma. He is survived by his wife Alta Ruth Calkins, daughters Anita Calkins and Christine VanderYacht (Dean), son Harold Calkins, granddaughters Natalie Craig, Michelle VanderYacht, Amy O’Ferrall, Heidi O’Ferrall, and great grandsons Rylan Craig and Jackson Kohrs. The family wishes to thank the Alzheimers Organization, Adult Day Health and “A Loving Heart Adult Family Home” friends for their wonderful care. Thank you also to the many caregivers who helped during the years of need. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to any of the following: Northwest Washington Holiness Assoc., P.O. Box 751, Lynden, WA 98264; Adult Day Health Scholarship Project, 800 E Chestnut St., Bellingham, WA 98225; or Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Dr., Bellingham, WA 98225. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1st, at Cornwall Church. You may share memories of Lyle online at www.farewelltributes.com. Interment will be in Cody, WY. Farewell Tribute Information A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1st, at Cornwall Church. Donations Information In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to any of the following: Northwest Washington Holiness Assoc., P.O. Box 751, Lynden, WA 98264; Adult Day Health Scholarship Project, 800 E Chestnut St., Bellingham, WA 98225; or Cornwall Church, 4518 Northwest Dr., Bellingham, WA 98225.

Lyle Samuel Calkins

April 7, 1926 - February 22, 2013