- Date Of Birth: August 6, 1938
- Date Of Death: July 6, 2022
- State: Maryland
Callahan, Walter Lee
BROOKLYN PARK – Walter Lee Callahan, 83, of Brooklyn Park, passed away the morning of July 6, 2022. Lee is survived by his son James Lee Callahan & daughter-in-law Theresa Callahan and two step-grandchildren, Megan and Jake Brady, numerous friends & neighbors. He was preceded in death by Carol, his wife of 57 loving years, her parents James B. & Gladys Ottesen and his parents Walter T. & Pauline Callahan.
Walter was born August 6, 1938, in Dalton Georgia; his family moved and settled in Baltimore (Westport/Brooklyn) when he was age 12. Lee graduated from Southern High School in 1956 and joined the United States Air Force, serving as an aircraft mechanic for air reconnaissance in Tachikawa, Japan. Afterward he continued working as an aircraft mechanic at Friendship Airport (now BWI) until joining the Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD), where he served for 30 years as a Firefighter/Rescue/EMT, assigned to Rescue 1 in Baltimore City’s Steadman Station. Lee would go on to obtain an Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Technology from Baltimore City College. He earned both personal BCFD merit awards and a Distinguished Unit Citation with his fellow Firefighters.
Lee and Carol married in 1962, settled in Brooklyn Park and started their family (son James Lee). In 1963 Lee graduated from the Brooklyn Park Barber’s Academy to work as a Master Barber part-time alongside his wife (Beautician Operator/Manager) at “Lee and Carol’s Beauty Salon” on Belle Grove Road. The shop was a local fixture in the 1980’s.
Aside from being a loving father, husband, public servant and beloved community business owner, Lee was an adamant music enthusiast (briefly playing drums in Japan in the late 50’s), and jitterbugging on the Buddy Deane teen dance television show on WJZ-TV before leaving Baltimore for military service. Lee kindly served as a “roadie” for his son’s various music projects in the 80’s. He loved Motorcycles (“more than they loved him” as his wife Carol would say), purchasing a Kawasaki Vulcan for his 65th Birthday. Lee also enjoyed playing cards with his fellow retired firefighters. He was an adamant cat lover and leaves behind his beloved tuxedo cat “Jasper”.
Lee attended Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City. He spoke highly of their music ministry in which his son performs as a guitarist. In his last 2 years, limited mobility and the loss of his beloved wife began to take a toll on his ailing health, however Lee found great solace in his new role as Grandfather to his step-grandchildren Megan and Jake. Lee happily adopted the nicknames “Pops” and (lovingly) “Old-man” a distinction he laughed about and wore with pride.
Lee leaves behind a legacy of love and service to his country and community.
• Glen Mar United Methodist Church (Music Ministries), 4701 New Cut Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043.
C/O Raymond Devilbiss 420 Shady Lane Pasadena, MD 21122
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
