Barry Craig Calahan

Barry Craig Calahan, 68, of Monahans, passed away on March 22, 2025 in Odessa, TX. Barry was born in Lockney, TX to H. S. Calahan (Junior) and Mable June Foster Calahan on January 18, 1957. 

Barry was the fourth child and the much-awaited son. Barry started life on the farm in South Plains, and before his first-grade year of school the family relocated to Abilene, TX. He started school in Abilene and then the next two years in Wylie ISD, Abilene, grades 4 – 7 were in Burleson, TX and 8th, 9th and the first semester of 10th grades in Amarillo. Finally, they moved to LaPorte where he graduated from high school. Barry began his music career in the 7th grade band in Burleson, continuing in the band in each school he attended. He also joined the choir in LaPorte, at which time his love for singing and the encouragement of his youth director inspired him to go into the music ministry. He graduated with his Bachelor of Music Education degree from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX. It was during his years at ETBU that he met the love of his life and married Sandra Fay Berry of Retta-Mansfield, TX on March 17, 1979. Also, during this time, he served in the music ministry of Linden, TX; Karnack, TX and in Shreveport, LA. After completing his degree at ETBU Barry decided to continue his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Moving his young family which now included their first baby, a daughter Amy to Retta he continued in music ministry in Burleson, TX and Chico, TX. Barry completed his Master of Music Degree in 1986. Feeling God’s leadership, Barry, Sandra and Amy moved to Alamogordo, NM where he served as Minister of Music at Bethel Baptist Church. On August 12, 1988 two precious girls, Kristin and Bethany were born. Always following God’s will for his life, Barry moved to Carlsbad, NM where he served as Minister of Music, Youth and later Senior Adults at Blodgett Street Baptist Church where he fell in love with senior adult ministry. His parents and siblings were very happy when God moved Barry back to Texas to accept the Minister of Music, Education and Senior Adults position at Southside Baptist Church in Monahans, TX. Barry was still actively serving the congregation of Southside Baptist as well as the community of Monahans.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sandra of 41 years. 

He is survived by daughters Amy Calahan, Kristin Dowlen and husband James, Bethany Fuentes and husband Josh, sisters Dian Bentley and husband Ron, Rose Cathy Baker, Vicky Stark and husband Gara, grandchildren Logan Fuentes, Karson Fuentes, Ethan Dowlen and Laurel Dowlen and many cousins, nieces and nephews.