Calvin Eugene Coursey, 81, of The Addison Assisted Living and Memory Care of Bluffton (formerly Benton House), and longtime resident of Salinas, California, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Born in Dos Palos, California, Calvin was raised on the famed Coit Ranch in Mendota, surrounded by a large, close-knit, and hard-working family. Hard work was not just expected—it was a way of life—and it became a defining trait Calvin carried with him always. He attended Mendota public schools and, after graduating, worked on the ranch alongside his father and brothers.

In 1966, Calvin was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably in Vietnam as a company clerk. Like many veterans of his generation, he rarely spoke of his service. Near the end of his life, however, he shared what he considered his proudest moment: after his unit returned stateside, while others rested, Calvin spent 12 straight hours typing travel orders so his fellow soldiers could reunite with their families as quickly as possible. With a bit of “typewriter magic,” he even managed to bring some of his soldiers’ assignments closer to home.

Following his military service, Calvin worked as a manager for Kmart before securing a position operating the Cray supercomputer at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey—a job he held until the early 1990s. When Fort Ord closed and he was offered continued employment in Alaska, Calvin politely declined, choosing instead to remain in Central California, which he loved deeply. He spent his remaining working years as a bookkeeper in Old Town Salinas. Calvin was generous and would often slip a little money into a family member’s pocket if he thought they could use it.

Calvin shared a home with his beloved sister, Bettye Buckmaster, until her passing in 2019. He later moved into an apartment near his workplace, but as time passed it became clear he was slowing down. He transitioned to assisted living at Vista Harden Ranch in Salinas, where he confided to his niece, Jana, that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. The VA determined the cancer was related to Agent Orange exposure during his Vietnam service, and he received treatment through Stanford Medical Center.

Determined not to face his illness alone, Calvin moved to Bluffton, South Carolina, to be closer to Jana. Around this time, it also became evident that his memory issues were more than ordinary forgetfulness. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and moved into memory care at Benton House.

True to his tough and quiet nature, Calvin had endured his cancer largely in silence, and it was advanced by the time it was discovered. He underwent a grueling month of daily radiation and chemotherapy, followed by hospice care through Compassus Hospice—a relationship that would last two and a half years. Cancer did not know Calvin Coursey’s work ethic or his extraordinary will to live, but his caregivers did. He made cancer earn its victory.

At Benton House, “Uncle Calvin” quickly became a favorite among residents and staff alike. He was known for his warm smile, cheerful demeanor, and collection of humorous t-shirts. He cherished daily visits from Jana, who brought candy treats and a Pepsi he would enjoy on the front porch while listening to Randy Travis gospel hymns. Visits from his great-niece and great-nephews brought him great joy, and their artwork filled the walls of his room.

Even as his memory faded, one thing never did: his work ethic. His greatest anxiety, was a fear of being late for work. In his final weeks, Calvin continued to display a remarkable determination to live, working hard right up to the very end—because that was who he was.

Calvin is survived by his brothers, James Coursey and Robert Coursey, and numerous nieces and nephews, including Jana Everhart, his devoted caregiver, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and James Boyd “Shine” Coursey; his sisters, Bobbie, Annie, Mary Louise, and Bettye; and his brother, Albert.

At his request, Calvin will be laid to rest with military honors at the California Central Coast Veterans Cemetery overlooking his beloved Monterey Bay at a later date. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers or donations, Calvin would have loved it if you would visit a friend, loved one, or even a stranger in a nearby assisted living or memory care facility.