Roll Call Tribute

Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home services notice
8303 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 | 713-465-8900

Newton Jackson Calvin
December 2, 1938 - March 23, 2016

Funeral Services are private. Arrangements under the direction of Earthman Funeral Directors-Hunters Creek, Houston, TX.
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Obituary sent by spouse


Newton Jackson Calvin, Jr.

December 2, 1938 – March 23, 2016

Class of 1960



Newton Jackson Calvin, Jr. [Jack] of Navasota passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston, Texas from congestive heart failure. Funeral services will be private.

As an only child to Newton Jackson Calvin, Sr. and Marion Belle Hamilton in Dallas, TX, Jack attended Sunset High School. A member of the Corps of Cadets with a major in electrical engineering, Jack later served in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer stationed at Sinop, Turkey during the Cold War. After service to his country, Jack worked for Van der Horst Corporation and National Marine Corporation. Returning to Texas, Jack founded his own oil services companies, and invested in successful local banks.

As a prominent member of Timber Cove, with close relationships among many of the original astronauts, Jack was appointed to the Houston METRO Board of Directors along with Bob Lanier [who later served as Houston Mayor], Holcombe Crosswell [grandson of former Houston Mayor Oliver Holcombe], Louis Macey [Houston Councilman], Billy Burge [Chair of the Houston Sports Authority and Grand Parkway Association] and Harry Gee [co-owner of the Houston Texans]. On the Board of Directors for a decade, Jack was the longest serving member of METRO, and he was appointed as Chair of the Governing Boards of the American Public Transportation Association. During his tenure, METRO expanded its collaboration with the Texas Transportation Institute to accommodate the rapid growth in the region. Jack enjoyed being a Master Gardener, Beekeeper, and managed his NJ Ranch with Brangus cattle and Spanish goats.

Jack married Judith Ann Jones of Dallas shortly after graduation, with whom he had two daughters, Brenda Ann Calvin Puckett [TAMU Class of 1991] of League City, Texas and Susan Elizabeth Calvin of Houston, Texas. A prominent member of the Daughters of the Texas Revolution, Judy was a member of the regional school board, prompting both of her daughters to become teachers. After battling breast cancer for a decade, Judy died in 1991. Jack is survived by his daughters, his only grandchild, Meagan Ann Puckett, and son-in-law, Robert Puckett [an aeronautical engineer involved with the Space Shuttle and the Mars Projects].

Once his daughters were raised, Jack married Nora Janjan, MD, a Professor of Radiation Oncology and Symptom Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1996. Subsequently, Nora obtained a Masters in Public Service Administration from the Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service [Class of 2006], and a Masters in Business Administration. At TAMU, Nora serves on the Bush School, International Programs and Private Enterprise Research Advisory Boards.

Throughout the years, Jack remained close with many classmates. Liked by everyone who met him, Jack will be remembered for his optimism, good nature, and wit.