Julian Calderón, 90, of Lawton, OK passed away on March 8, 2024 in Hammond. Julian “JR” was born in Lawton, Oklahoma to Julio Calderon of Michoacán, of Mexico, and Carolina Ramirez Careterro of Toyah, TX on February 21,1934. He grew up in Medicine Park, which is a town in Comanche County, OK situated in the Wichita Mountains.

Junior was a veteran of the Korean War and enlisted at age 17 in the Army assigned  Second Infantry Division and was awarded a Purple Heart. He entered the service at Fort Sill, OK on March 21st 1951 and took his basic training at Scott Field Hawaii.  He was wounded while fighting with the Second Infantry division.  He was then transferred to a Japan hospital for a bullet wound to his leg which remained embedded throughout his life. He was then assigned to the 38th Regiment of the Second Infantry In Korea.    Before returning to active duty he was released because he was underage and required parental consent. He had petitioned his mother to sign a waiver  allowing him to return to active duty. Corporal Calderon was honorably discharged in 1954.

He moved to Michigan in 1955 to seek employment and eventually moved to East Chicago, IN working in the “Coke Plant” at Inland Steel from December 1956 to November 1994, a total of 38 years. Prior to Inland Steel he worked at the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, MI.  In 1956  he met the love of his life.  He married Judith Marie Coe 65 years ago on October 4, 1958 in East Chicago, IN at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and had four children together.    He was involved in the Latin American Bowling League for many years and the Mexican American Parade Celebrations.   After he retired he worked at the Lake Country Court House in Crown Point during the election period as a machine mechanic until 2015. He battled Alzheimer’s for the final 10 years of his life and he did that with courage and determination.  He will be remembered for his wit and kindness and the ability to make others laugh.

Julian is preceded in death by his daughter, Judy Ann Calderon Bocanegra, Son, Kurt Dietz, Brother, Alfred Calderon,  Alexander Calderon,  sister, Shirley Ann Zapinski and Lydia Howard Fretter.

He is survived by his Spouse: Judith Calderon, their son, Jaime (Aida) Calderon – Hammond, daughters: Gigi Calderon – Texas, Debra Calderon Wiley – Hammond, his daughter, Kathy(Juan) Ianni – Tennessee, Brothers, Michael(Rhonda) Carretero – Oklahoma, Jesse Carretero – Oklahoma and Sister-in-Law, Maria(Daniel) Rodriguez – Lowell, brother-in-law: Harry Zapinski- MI: grandchildren: Jessica (Luke) Williams – Fort Worth, DJ (Sara Clay) DeBusman – Fort Worth, Bianca Dominguez – Hammond, Alyssa (Matt) Holloway – Lowell, Bella Bocanegra – Hammond, Chance Wiley- Hammond, Lydia Ianni – California, Keith Dietz – Nashville, Austin (Daniel Jones) Dietz – Murfreesboro; Great grandchildren: Kamryn Whitson, Kaleb Borchardt, Kaden Williams, Lily Schauer, Parker DeBusman, Morgan DeBusman, Carter DeBusman, Sophia Holloway, Avery Holloway, Quinn Holloway, Lainey Holloway, Oliver Fuit, Cameron Yount (Dietz), and a host of nieces nephews, other relative and friends.

A visitation for Julian will be held Saturday March 23, 2024 from 2:00pm-6:00pm. A funeral service will be held at 5pm. All services will be held at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillville, IN 46410. Deacon Gilbert Sanchez officiating.