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| Francis P. Callaghan |
His career with the United States Government is decorated with many awards and recognitions. He entered federal service in 1940 with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He then served in the Intelligence division of the Manhattan Engineering District in 1943 and later was selected as the Director of Security of the Oak Ridge Operations in the early 1950’s. In 1957, he took part in a security review of four NATO countries in Europe. He also helped to complete a bilateral agreement with the United States for information exchange between countries. He was awarded the Superior Service Award in 1958. In 1971, he was the Atomic Energy Commission’s representative in a joint project with the Department of Defense. The project's goal was to revise how our government handled classified documents.
During his career, he was an outstanding employee and an incredible asset to the intelligence community. After talking to one of his friends recently, he certainly loved what he did, but felt his more rewarding work was accomplished in the community. His accomplishments were just as impressive in this area. From writing speeches for the Mayor to helping to start the CONTACT answering service Dedaddy seemed to be involved in every aspect of social concern that there was. In 1968, he even organized a five week seminar called "An Experiment in Social Concern". This was under parish sponsorship at St. Mary’s Church in Oak Ridge. He was one of the founders of the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association in 1964 and was one of the early board members of the Oak Ridge Art Center. In 1967, he worked with Leslie Dale, serving as executive chairman of the Oak Ridge 25th committee, a year long celebration of the city's anniversary.
He served as chairman of the Oak Ridge Housing Authority in 1970 after being vice chair for two years. He rigorously fought for low income housing to be offered in neighborhoods that were not isolated from the rest of the community. Frank Callaghan Tower’s is right next to Emory Valley. A month before Dedaddy died he appeared before City Council to argue for more low income housing in Oak Ridge. 1977, Dedaddy was presented with the Columbus Award by the Oak Ridge Council of the Knights of Columbus. This award was reserved for citizens who showed outstanding community service. He also received an award from the Catholic Bishop of the Nashville diocese. The Governor himself proclaimed October 22 "Frank Callaghan Day".
So with a life full of accomplishments and outstanding community service what else can be said about
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| Security Check point in Oak Ridge, TN |
Thank you Dedaddy, Daddy, Frank, for what you taught us. For that for which you stood. For helping all of us understand that it is not about us. It is much bigger than that. Most importantly, thank you for taking the Great Commission seriously. Let’s go out and make disciples of all nations. Like St. Patrick did. Like Frank Callaghan did. Both only men, but true disciples of Jesus Christ.
In loving memory of my Dedaddy Frank P. Callaghan,
He was also a great neighbor. As a kid growing up across the street from from the Callaghan family I often found myself at their house, playing on the front porch under the canopy, at a bar-be-que or at a kids party on their patio. He taught me how to throw a fast-ball, although I was a poor learner, and was always a kind and forgiving adult presence in my youth. As a teenager he hired me to cut his grass and occasionally paint his walls. I am sorry he has been gone so long.
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