Edwin Calkins (1952 - 2014)

Born 26 Jul 1952 in Lewiston, Asotin County, Idaho, United States

Died 13 Jul 2014 at age 61 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, United States

Biography

Edwin Calkins, 61, of Lapwai, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2014, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, of leukemia.

Ed was born July 26, 1952, to Monte C. and Iona (Browning) Calkins in Lewiston. He spent his “wilder,” younger years in Juliaetta, where he graduated from school.

After leaving school, he soon met his first wife, Edna. Together they had two children, Dan and DeeDee. This marriage later ended in divorce.

Ed ended up moving out of the area to fulfill his passion as a truck driver. Ed enjoyed trucking until the day he passed away. He was never a person who liked to sit and do nothing, so trucking was his way to see the different sights and keep him going. Ed owned and operated his own truck for several years. He was always happy when he got a load close to home so he could visit with his family. About 20 years ago, he decided to give up “over the road” trucking and started driving local routes in California. This is where he met and married his current wife, Michelle. About six years ago, Ed decided it was time to come back “home,” so he moved to Lapwai. Ed found his passion as a truck driver delivering concrete for Lewiston Pre-Mix. He loved his time spent there because they were his second family.

Ed’s favorite thing to do was to take his grandson, Connor, fishing and to follow his sporting activities that he could make it to. Anyone who knew Ed knew how much he liked to joke and flip people crap, especially Ray and Connie O’Neal, more Connie than Ray. He always had a smile for people, he never knew an enemy.

Ed is survived by his wife, Michelle Calkins of Lapwai; son Dan (Kelly) Calkins of Clarkston; daughter DeeDee (Mark) Morris of Winchester; his grandsons, Connor and Kevin; and his granddaughters, Kaysha, Kenyatta and Madison, whom he loved very much; his brother, Myron (Chris) of Lewiston; sisters Zana Sherman of Juliaetta and Judy (Billy) Phillips of Harrison; in-laws AJ and Mary Tingley of California. He also has many nieces, nephews and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Monte C. and Iona Calkins; and his first wife, Edna Cash.

There will be a memorial service at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Winchester Playground Fund.

God looked around his garden and found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around and lifted you to rest,

God’s garden must be beautiful. He only takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.

He knew you would never get well on Earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb,

So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered “peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.

For part of us went with you the day God called you home.

---Lewiston Tribune

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