John (Big John) Callahan

October 20, 1938 - December 20, 2021

Callahan – John Tracy Callahan, known to most as “Big John” passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021. A funeral service will be held at 6:00 PM, Thursday, December 23, 2021, in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Clark Harrison officiating. John was a 57 year member of the I.U.O.E, Local 926, serving on the Executive Board and Instructor of the Apprenticeship & Training Program. As a crane operator he helped erect many of the landmark buildings in and around Atlanta. In 2000 he retired from Heaton Erecting, Inc., after 18 years of service. Big John was an active member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church for many years, serving as deacon chairman, usher, youth SS teacher, brotherhood member and church bus driver. He was raised a Master Mason in Grayson Lodge #549 in 1986. He was past Worshipful Master and served as Chaplain for over 20 years. He was a Certified Mentor in the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Georgia, thus helping many new members with Degree work. As Chairman of the Gwinnett Masonic Association Memorial Team, he performed over 200 masonic funerals. As a young boy, he loved scouting and started whittling. He graduated from Southwest High School in 1957, where he participated in various sports, served as Battalion Commander of the ROTC, and elected a senior superlative. John was preceded in death by his parents, Erdman & Hazel (Hollingsworth) Callahan, and older half-brother, Kevin Sherrill. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 60 years, Sandra (Doyal) Callahan, Loganville, GA: son, Gray Callahan, Loganville, GA; daughter & son-in-law, Kelly & Bill Conaway, Statham, GA; grandchildren, Case & Callie Conaway; brothers, Jake Callahan, Reform, AL; Jeff Callahan, Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, John requested donations be made to the Masonic Children’s Home in Macon, GA or your favorite charity. The family will receive friends, Wednesday, December 22, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday, December 23, 2021, from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM at Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. 770-962-3100. Please sign the online guest registry at www.stewartfh.com.