Jerry Wayne Calhoun

It is with deep sorrow and love from family and friends that we mourn the passing of Jerry Wayne Calhoun, 65, of Renton, who departed this life on January 7th 2026.

Born in 1960, in Denver, Colorado, to Ray and Louise Calhoun – he was the third of five children. Jerry lived a life defined by independence, a dry sense of humor, and a love for the outdoors.

Jerry graduated from Wood River High School (Hailey, Idaho) in 1979. Then worked at Atkinsons Market and Glenn’s Grocery as a butcher. In 1985 moved to the Seattle area to work as a machinist for Boeing. He married Mary Kinkade in 1989. Though they later divorced, they remained devoted to raising their 3 children Myranda, Mariah, and Jeremiah. He worked in aerospace for over 30 years before retiring in 2017.

Jerry’s favorite place was always on the water. He loved fishing, crabbing, and gardening; most summers after work he would spend boating around on the Puget Sound spending the hours crabbing, casting, enjoying the water, and gardening in his backyard. He shared his passions with his children and later his grandchildren, teaching them the value of fishing, hunting, growing their own food and caring for animals. Over Jerry’s life he has owned and cared for a variety of pets from bull pythons, chickens, mice, fish, dogs, and cats. In his retirement era you could find him playing video games with his grandchildren (Minecraft and Animal Crossing were a few favorites), throwing a ball for his dogs, Pip and Belle, sharing a morsel of his meal with his dogs and cat, Ryan, or creating culinary creations from ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls, savory lasagnas and tasty burgers, to ghost-pepper salsas.

Known for his quick straightforward wit, he could make even a grocery store trip memorable by responding to the ever so frequent question of “Did you find everything?” with “I have to go back and find everything?”

Jerry is survived by his mother, Louise Forbis; his 3 sisters, Chris, Tami, Jeanett; his brother, Jason; his children, Myranda (David), Mariah (Ken), Jeremiah (Kaela); many granddaughters and a grandson, along with cherished extended family members and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Ray Milton Calhoun and step-father Ernie Forbis. He will always be remembered for his humor, his independence, and the joy he found in the outdoors.