Calvin Ray Hemming

Calvin Ray Hemming better known as “Cal,” was buried with military honors on April 10, 2026, at Tahoma National Cemetery in the plot with his sweetheart, Carroll Faye “Toni” (Hawley) Hemming.

Cal, 96, of University Place, Washington, peacefully passed away on March 18, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Cal was born in Pocatello, Idaho on June 28,1929, the day before his parents’ 9th wedding anniversary. Cal was the seventh of eight children born to Parley and Jeneve (Parker) Hemming.

Cal graduated from Pocatello High School on May 21,1947, and enlisted in the United States Navy, on August 26,1947. He served on the destroyer, USS Rowan traveling to Oahu, Japan, and other areas of the far east. Cal entered the service two years after World War II concluded and was honorably discharged on June 28,1950, a couple years before the Korean War began. Cal continued to serve in the naval reserve from June 29,1950, until the expiration of his enlistment on June 28,1954.

Towards the end of Cal’s naval reserve service, he went to work for the U.S. government as a civilian radar technician. Cal was working at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington when he met Toni (Hawley) Tyner at church. Cal and Toni, married on September 15,1961. This was a true marriage of yours, mine, and ours. Toni had a daughter and two sons; Cal had two sons and together they had two daughters and a son.

Cal’s civil service took him from Spokane to Tacoma, Washington where the family lived for four years. On December 22,1973, Cal was recognized for twenty years of faithful federal service by the Department of the Air Force. In 1974, President Nixon closed the detachment at McChord AFB where Cal was working. Cal and Toni sold their beautiful home in Tacoma and prepared to move to Rome, New York with the Air Force. At the last-minute Cal was offered a job in Nuremburg, Germany with the Army. Cal and Toni jumped at the chance to live overseas, and the family moved to Fuerth. Cal and Toni were very happy living in Germany. They lived in Fuerth for 6 years and another 6 years in Heidelberg, for a total of 12 years. Cindy and Tracy met and married their spouses while living in Fuerth.

On January 3,1989, Cal retired at age 59 as a radar technician working at Fort Lewis, Washington. Cal completed 35 years of employment as a civilian radar technician starting with the Air Force and finishing with the Army. Cal and Toni remained in University Place until Toni died in 2002. Cal and Toni were married for over 40 years. Cal married Phyllis Ball in 2003. Phyllis passed away in 2022 after 19 years of marriage.

Cal enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling and sought to improve his speaking abilities in Toastmasters. Later in life he enjoyed playing various card games with friends, children, and grandchildren.

Cal was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a branch president in Germany, a service missionary in the Washington Tacoma Mission, and a temple worker at the Seattle, Washington Temple. He also enjoyed indexing records on FamilySearch.

Cal was predeceased by his parents, two wives, Toni, and Phyllis, all eight of his siblings and spouses, and two sons-in-law, Tug Lovejoy, and John Norton.

Cal has a large posterity. He was the father of eight children: Ray (Karen), Cindy Norton, Tracy (Esther), Brett, David (Sonya), Lorri Lovejoy, Cherie Duggar (David), and Aaron (Jen). Cal also has 35 grandchildren, 79 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren with 2 great-great-grandchildren on the way.

Cal will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.