Daniel Calhoun

Mr. Daniel Calhoun made his transition on October 5, 2025. Please take a moment to leave comforting words for his family. Daniel Calhoun was born in the historic Black Bottom neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan to the union of Benjamin (Benny) Calhoun and Nettie Calhoun (Stewart) on January 31, 1942. He was the seventh of nine children born to this Family. His siblings were Wendell, Barbara (Bobbie), Rosa (Rose) Ruth, Benjamin (Big Ben), Andrew (Big Andy), Samuel (Goo-Goo) and Kathleen (Sheenie). All of his siblings proceeded him in death except for Kathleen. His mother’s two sisters, Aunt Grace Ellison and Aunt Kathleen Snead each had fourteen children and seven children respectively. Family meant everything to Daniel, coming from a very large Family that all lived just blocks from each other. Family! Danny matriculated through the Detroit Public School system beginning at Sidney D. Miller Junior High and High School on Detroit’s East side. He went on to graduate from Detroit’s Cass Technical (Cass Tech) High School in 1960 with a concentration in Printing. After high school, Danny worked for a printing company while also, on the side, making programs for his church, community organizations and even printed mementos for his wedding. He received the Holy Spirit and was a member of Greater Bethlehem Temple. His work and experiences at the printing company and his involvement in fraternal organizations would go on to shape Danny’s understanding and ideas into the future on race. Danny had a lifelong love of the automobile. In high school, he owned a 1956 Plymouth that he loved. He used this car to travel throughout the city to different social events. It was at one of these events where he met Jacqueline Jeanette Nicks, his future wife and mother of his children. After meeting and dating, Jackie moved to Washington, DC to begin studies at Howard University. Danny reportedly drove through the night to retrieve his love from Howard, brought her back to Detroit and married her in 1962. To this union was born, as they were known, “Tracey and the Boys!” Professionally, Daniel began working for Ford Motor Company in 1965, soon after his second child was born. He began in the Foundry, then was selected to join Ford’s Management Apprenticeship Program in Tool and Dye department, in other words he was strong enough to bend steel! He remained in the employment of “FoMoCo” for the next 32 years. When he retired, he was serving as a Plant Manager at the Dearborn Stamping Plant. It was his dedication to his work that he used to mold his children who learned by example with extended years in each of their chosen vocations. However, as most Calhouns, Danny would not sit still. After retiring, he took on another full-time vocation in rehabilitating houses and providing affordable units to tenants throughout the city while working alongside his big brother Andy. He used these skills as a housewarming gift to each of his children where he remodeled their houses in some way. With Tracey, he sanded and varnished her floors; with Daniel (Tiger), he remodeled the kitchen adding cabinetry; for Daron he striped wallpaper and painted every room; and with Duane added a new dining room floor. Danny lived a life of accomplishments and loved to teach, think, and talk. His sons fondly remember walking by when he would say his favorite line, “let me show you something…” Just then, you knew you were about to receive a lesson. At any moment you would learn how the combustion engine worked, complete with a drawing to scale. After about 15 minutes, the entire engine would be on a napkin explained in detail. Danny also had an affinity for numbers. Danny had a theory that numbers, particularly lottery numbers, were drawn with less randomness and more of a system. He then set out to prove his theory by transposing numbers on charts and graphs to corroborate the method. Recreationally, Danny’s favorite pastime was fishing. He would teach any family member the sport who wanted to spend time at the water. He loved it so much, that he fished many of the bodies of water throughout lower Michigan, quite often, with his son by his side. His penchant for fishing and his love for teaching aside the water will continue to future generations. Daniel is survived by sister, Kathleen; children Teresa (Ralph), Daniel (Michelle), Daron, and Duane (Karen); grandchildren Dr. Christopher Cook (Alexis), Candace, Denise, Daron, II (Anneishia), Rachel, Daniel (C.Miguel), Chelsea, Lauren, Lance, Mitchell, Donovan and Delaney; great grandchildren Kellis and Cassidy (Cook), Xavier, Khalea, Sevyn and Kaia; the family matriarch, Shirley Beeler (cousin); Sisters in love Annette and Florine (Calhoun); cousins (Ellisons and Sneads) and a host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Family

Daniel Calhoun

January 31, 1942 - October 5, 2025