Obituary for Eric Russell Calkins
Eric Russell Calkins, 72, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, surrounded by his wife and children.
Eric was born in Tulsa, OK on September 19th,1950. He grew up in Miami, FL and attended Miami Coral Park Senior High School. He was a member of the swim team and loved the outdoors. While growing up in Miami, he spent his free time in the everglades building swamp buggies, hunting and fishing with his siblings and friends. After graduation, Eric attended trade school and became a general contractor. In 1972, he moved to Palatka and began Calkins Development Corporation. He was instrumental in developing much of the community. Eric developed Point of Woods, Crystal Cove and a variety of structures at Georgia Pacific. He also developed the old Sears business park as well as many other buildings and homes throughout Putnam County.
Eric was a hard worker but also loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed taking his family on ski trips, to the keys for lobster season and to Fort Wilderness where they would camp Disney style. Eric would often invite family and friends over for oyster roasts where he would entertain by playing guitar and leading sing-a-longs by the fire. Eric was a mentor to many and was always available to help neighbors and friends. He will be remembered for his innovative, loyal and caring spirit. Eric will be sorely missed but the memories of his honest and loving heart will live on forever.
Eric is preceded in death by his mother, Madaline R. Burns. He is survived by his wife, Susan Calkins, children, Nicole Alford, Caleb Calkins (Angel Calkins), Crystal Calkins, Trevlyn Sheffield (Jason Sheffield), and Sonny Thomas (Amy Thomas), siblings, Mark Calkins (Linda Calkins), Scarlett Harriss (Bill Harriss), and Colleen Dotson (Denny Dotson) and eight grandchildren.
Services will be held at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm and the memorial service at 1:00 pm. Please visit the Johnson-Overturf website https://www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com where you will find his obituary and pictures. We encourage you to upload photos and share your favorite memories on the memory wall. If unable to attend, you may watch the service via live stream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5NDU2MDE3NDI3MTQzOCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Eric was born in Tulsa, OK on September 19th,1950. He grew up in Miami, FL and attended Miami Coral Park Senior High School. He was a member of the swim team and loved the outdoors. While growing up in Miami, he spent his free time in the everglades building swamp buggies, hunting and fishing with his siblings and friends. After graduation, Eric attended trade school and became a general contractor. In 1972, he moved to Palatka and began Calkins Development Corporation. He was instrumental in developing much of the community. Eric developed Point of Woods, Crystal Cove and a variety of structures at Georgia Pacific. He also developed the old Sears business park as well as many other buildings and homes throughout Putnam County.
Eric was a hard worker but also loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed taking his family on ski trips, to the keys for lobster season and to Fort Wilderness where they would camp Disney style. Eric would often invite family and friends over for oyster roasts where he would entertain by playing guitar and leading sing-a-longs by the fire. Eric was a mentor to many and was always available to help neighbors and friends. He will be remembered for his innovative, loyal and caring spirit. Eric will be sorely missed but the memories of his honest and loving heart will live on forever.
Eric is preceded in death by his mother, Madaline R. Burns. He is survived by his wife, Susan Calkins, children, Nicole Alford, Caleb Calkins (Angel Calkins), Crystal Calkins, Trevlyn Sheffield (Jason Sheffield), and Sonny Thomas (Amy Thomas), siblings, Mark Calkins (Linda Calkins), Scarlett Harriss (Bill Harriss), and Colleen Dotson (Denny Dotson) and eight grandchildren.
Services will be held at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm and the memorial service at 1:00 pm. Please visit the Johnson-Overturf website https://www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com where you will find his obituary and pictures. We encourage you to upload photos and share your favorite memories on the memory wall. If unable to attend, you may watch the service via live stream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5NDU2MDE3NDI3MTQzOCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.