Gary Lee Calvert
Gary Lee Calvert, 76, passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug. 1, 1948, in Oak Ridge to Audrey Opal Lee (Gilbert) and Oney Caleb Calvert, and was the fourth of their five children. Childhood trips to his extended family’s home in Kentucky and family vacations to the Gulf Coast of Florida led to a lifelong love of travel and the outdoors, from the mountains to the desert to the beaches of Casey Key and Punta Gorda, Florida.
After graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 1966, Gary attended Middle Tennessee State University, where he met Linda Gail King. They were married in 1970. In their free time, Gary and Linda enjoyed touring the Southeast on a series of motorcycles.
Following his service in the Army National Guard, Gary began a distinguished career with the Department of Energy, starting with electrical engineering, power operations, and utilities at K-25. He was a member of the Oak Ridge Lodge of the BPO Elks, and went on to become the second-longest-serving active member, at 54 years.
Much to the relief of their parents, Gary and Linda finally got around to starting a family with the birth of their son Chad in 1977. A second son, Jeffrey, was born in 1979, followed by daughter Rebecca in 1982. With his children came one of the greatest projects of his life: building a houseboat at Sequoyah Marina on Norris Lake. It became the family’s home away from home, where Gary hosted countless gatherings and taught generations of children how to fish, swim, and water-ski. He manned his barbecue grill and helped so many “lake friends” that he became known as “The Mayor” of their dock.
He pursued further studies at the University of Tennessee before earning his degree from Tusculum University. In 1984, Gary transferred from K-25 to Y-12, where he led the plant’s efforts in recycling, energy management and conservation. He retired as a plant shift superintendent after 35 years of service.
A passionate believer in community service, Gary volunteered extensively with organizations including 4-H, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Oak Ridge Rowing Association. He enjoyed sharing the practical, hands-on knowledge he gained from his father.
In retirement, Gary devoted more time to home projects, but was always willing to set them aside to help friends and family. This past May, he applied his building skills to a float celebrating the 100th Gilbert family reunion, part of the 94th Mountain Laurel Festival parade in his mother’s hometown of Pineville, Kentucky. Gary had attended the reunions and parades nearly all his 76 years, as well as Calvert family reunions.
When he wasn’t tinkering in his shed or tending to his immaculate landscaping, Gary, Linda, and Rebecca loved to travel, particularly to Florida — from the beaches of his youth to Daytona for NASCAR with his brothers and all the way to Key West.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Linda; his children, Chad (Ashli), Jeffrey (Joshua), and Rebecca; his grandson, Max; his brothers, Lynn, Doug, and John Calvert; his sister, Karen (Michael) Baker; and numerous other relatives and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and many other family members and dear friends who will welcome him with open arms.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
The family received friends at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 14. A celebration of life service, conducted by the Rev. Steve McDonald, was held Saturday, Feb. 15, with burial following at Anderson Memorial Gardens.
