Breaking News: Liberty Icon, Former Mayor John Callaham Jr. Passes Away From Heart Attack

John William Callaham, Jr.

Liberty, SC

February 12, 1928 - February 11, 2012

A fixture in Liberty for decades, known as "the walking man" and "Mr. Liberty" ~ former Liberty town mayor, John Callaham, Jr., 83, passed away last night (Saturday February 11, 2012) from a heart attack.

The heartbreaking news comes on the same day that longtime Clemson Mayor; Larry Abernathy also passed away.

Callaham leaves behind a legacy of friendship, leadership, environmental stewardship, and community contribution.

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The dedication plaque from The Smith Chapel Wesleyan 
Family Life Center in Liberty (and a zoom in of one of the names). 
I'm fairly certain I've seen his name on a plaque in just about every 
church in Liberty as a donor of money and time. John Callaham is an 
example of true community stewardship and discipleship. 

*(1)  John Callaham

Callaham graduated Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC in 1952. He later received the Alumni Service Award for his many years of dedicated service. He served as vice president on the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian College Alumni Association. Callaham has served for many years as a class agent for the Annual Fund and as chairman of his graduating class.

Callaham served on many committees and was a gracious donor to Southern Wesleyan University.

Callaham, an advocate of education, laid the first brick in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Liberty High School.

Callaham served several terms as Mayor of the Town of Liberty in the late 50's and early 60's.

Mr. Callaham served our country in the United States Army during World War II, and was a lifetime member of the Frank D. Callaham American Legion Post # 67.

He was a member of the Liberty Chamber of Commerce and the Liberty Lions Club.

Throughout his career he owned and operated several businesses including, Callaham Insurance, Callaham Motors, & Callaham Real Estate. 

Both he and his father leave behind an amazing record of service to this country ~ with his father, John Callaham, Sr., listed on the World War Veterans Service Marker in Liberty (pictured).

World War Service Memorial in Liberty SC / HWY 93 /Main St

John was a nature lover and an active, avid environmental steward. Callaham was instrumental to the planting of several areas of plants and trees in the Liberty Community, throughout the years. One of his reasons for his daily walks of Liberty, which some put as high as 10,000 miles or more over his lifetime was to "enjoy the hills and valleys full of green beauty meeting the city", Callaham stated in an interview with atlibertytosay.com back in October 2011.

Callaham said he was very pleased with the outcome of Liberty's Freedom Park and how well it integrated nature.

Of course, John also loved people. He would always stop to wave or say, "Hi" when you saw him on the street. Many children recognized Mr. Callaham from his two daily walks ~ one in the morning and one in the afternoon … sometimes covering up to 3 miles of Liberty streets.

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Artist rendering of picture taken of Callaham
walking in front of Liberty Presbyterian on
Main St. in Liberty SC.

* Picture taken by Wynde W. (2)

* (1) Picture from libertymortuary.com
* (2) Picture taken by Wynde Wagner