David Calkins

David V. Calkins, age 70, of Dellroy, Ohio died early Monday, November 17, 2014 in his home, with his family by his side.

Born at Houston, Texas on July 6, 1944, David was a son of the late Earl C. and Dorothy L. (Lambert) Calkins.

David entered the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for five years prior to his discharge in 1966. 

After receiving an FCC 3rd Class license in 1967, David was actively and continuously employed in the radio industry. His career began in the small East Texas town of Jasper, before returning to Houston to work at KRBE, a well-known FM station. Later he moved to Austin and was employed by KOKE-FM, a popular radio station that pioneered “Country Rock”; a favorite DJ of the era, he was known as “Dr. Dave”. Throughout his years in the radio industry, David wore “many hats” that included field production, engineering, time sales, in-house production, live sports and any and all associated duties in the radio/broadcast industry.

Acting was a lifelong interest of his, all the way from junior high drama class productions to a small (“very small”) speaking role in the 1980 movie, “Resurrection”. He eventually formed his own business, Third Coast Video, which was a general video production company located in the Central Texas Hill Country. In 1981, he moved to the small Central Texas town of Wimberley and along with his brother Bruce, opened the Cypress Creek Café – “on the Square in Wimberley”.  They made the CCC an area hot spot for food, drink and live music for decades; with David producing live footage that included various musical groups including Willie Nelson and Wayne Toupes, among others. David was involved in the production of several major “outdoor” musical and special events, namely The Annual Crawfish Fest and Jazz Fest in Wimberley, and Texas and Austin Days in Austin, Texas. Dave could never have enough irons in the fire and always found time to support his community by acting in numerous productions with The Wimberley Players at the Greenhouse Theatre.

Together, with his wife, the former Kim Rutter, whom he married on July 4, 2001, they ran the Country Door Inn and the Lonesome Dove River Inn both of Wimberley, Texas for many years before moving to the Yucatan Peninsula.  In the small (“very small”) Caribbean village of Xcalak, Mexico, they owned and operated Hotel Tierra Maya, the crown jewel of the Costa Maya, catering to veteran fly fisherman and divers.  After living in Xcalak for several years they sold the hotel and bought a home in Dellroy, close to New Philadelphia, Ohio where Kim had grown up.

Today, the couple own and operate This Much Productions. They recently released a feature film documentary focusing on the “Twin Cities” of Dennison and Uhrichsville and the Claymont City Schools in Ohio. The documentary, “922 From Academic Watch to Academic Wow”, has won numerous awards and honorable mentions throughout the United States. The film is currently being used across the country as a tool for educators to improve not only their classrooms but the environment around them.

In addition to his wife, David will be missed by a son, Sean Calkins; a daughter, Erin L. Calkins both of Austin, Texas, three step-children, Matthew (Paola) Miller of Gainesville, Florida, Brandon Hinnenkamp and Jennifer (Jonathan) Ayres all of Austin, Texas; three brothers, Earl (Deena) Calkins of Houston, Texas, Alan (Sharon) Calkins of Seattle, Washington, Bruce (Mardee) Calkins of Wimberley, Texas; and two sisters, Karen Jackson of Stephenville, Texas and Susan Calkins of San Antonio, Texas;  two step-grandchildren, Tabitha and Matthew Miller, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a sister, Laurie Calkins.

To his family, he was, by acclamation, the funniest person we knew.  He was intelligent, creative and amazingly quick witted.  With his passion for acting he loved to tell stories and perform, shamelessly at times.  He was not above accents and impressions and he usually laughed hardest at himself.  It was all done for the purest of reasons, to make people happy.  Similarly, he had a love and knowledge of music and musicians, which he shared enthusiastically with others throughout his life. And finally, he was a genuinely kind person with a sweet, sweet disposition. We are all the better for having had him in our lives.

A celebration of David’s life will take place during a gathering on Sunday, November 23, 2014 from 1:00–3:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.

In gratitude for their exemplary care and compassion during David’s illness, the family requests memorial contributions in his name be directed to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.