Ernest Bobby McCallister - Obituary January 26, 1931 - November 17, 2024

Born on January 26, 1931, in Asbury, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Ernest Perry & Madeline Bonnie Burns McCallister and was one of 12 children. After 2 years of college, he joined the United States Army in 1952, serving 2 years as an Army Ranger, and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. McCallister moved to California, where he began his career as a cement mason and married Margrethe “Peggy” Hansen on August 10, 1957; they lived in Livermore, CA, until he retired from the Cement Mason’s Union after 30 years and moved to Redding, CA in 1991. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved watching the “little cars go round & round” (NASCAR), especially that “young whipper snapper” (Jeff Gordon). During his retirement years, he enjoyed walking, and you would find him always wearing a pair of one of the many different suspenders he collected over the years. Bob loved gardening and sharing his home-grown veggies with his neighbors, who referred to him as “Veggie Bob.” He also canned his veggies, fruit, and smoked salmon; everyone especially loved his famous homemade applesauce and blackberry jam. At the end of his day, you would find him sitting under his almond tree, drinking a can of Dr. Pepper, or sharing his drumstick ice cream with his beloved dog, Dixie. Even though he had owned many dogs during his lifetime, Dixie held a special place in his heart during his later years. He is survived by his four children: Ernie (Darla) of Stockton, CA, Peggy Sue Law of Livermore, CA, Cindy (Joe) Avignone of Reno, NV, and Harold “Murph” of Redding, CA; grandchildren: Jenna, Corie, Garrett, Rebecca, Joseph, Shari, Justin & Jarred, and great-grandchildren; Rowan, Xander, Allison, and Olivia, brothers; Joe of Redding, CA, Jim (Shirley) of Livermore, CA and Garry (Francis) of Alderson, WV, brother- in-law, Ken Moore of Glen Allen, VA, sister-in-laws; Lona McCallister of Livermore, CA, Joan Hansen of Danville, CA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Margrethe “Peggy” Hansen McCallister; grandson, Jason Avignone of Reno, NV; 5 brothers: Eddie & Kenneth of Redding, CA, Keith & Perry of Livermore, CA, Lael of Pahrump, NV, three sisters, Kayle Harvey of Livermore, CA, Elaine Allen of Richmond, VA and Patricia Moore of Glen Allen, VA. Services with military honors and interment will be held at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA, on May 9, 2025, at 9:30 am.