PLEASE NOTE DATE OF SERVICES: Funeral services for John Calvin will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown with Pastor Janine Rew-Werling officiating.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2020 at Hosanna Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to the Lake Area Technical Institute Foundation, P.O. Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
John Calvin was a hard-charging relentless business executive, advisor to four South Dakota governors, philanthropist and loyal friend. The Ringneck Pheasant first enticed him to South Dakota in 1962 and his love of the prairie continued throughout his life. His passion for hunting was matched by his love of boating on Lake Michigan.
The youngest son of Ben W. and Wanda M. (Cousins) Calvin, John was born on September 17, 1934 in Jackson, Michigan. The family soon moved to Bay City where he was raised. John graduated from the University of Michigan and began his career with the Martin-Marietta Corporation and later became president of Dyna Technology a company based in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1984 he purchased Palm Industries in Litchfield, Minnesota.
Gov George Mickelson invited John to move Angus Palm Industries to Watertown, South Dakota by offering the state’s first “REDI” fund loan 1987. Loyalty and integrity were his hallmark often telling employees “If you work hard for me, I’ll work hard for you.” His partnership with Lake Area Technical Institute grew during this time and continued throughout his life.
After selling Angus Palm in 1996 to his employees John created J. Scott Industries and concentrated on helping many businesses grow and find their home in South Dakota. His focus included serving governors as an economic advisor and ambassador.
In 2006 Gov Mike Rounds asked him to manage a new department of state agencies which included Secretary of Tourism, State Development, Tribal Government Relations, Arts Council, State Historical Society and Housing Development Authority.
John was currently serving on the Board of Directors of Prairie Lakes Healthcare. Other community involvement included Lake Area Technical Institute, Joy Ranch and the Boys and Girls Club.
He was awarded the Mayor’s Award for Generosity of Spirit and Distinguished Achievement, the Business and Economic Development Award and the Spirit of Watertown Award.
In May of 2019 John was honored to have Calvin Industrial Park in Watertown dedicated in recognition of his service to the city and state.
John holds the highest Scottish Rite honor of the 33rd Degree Masonry and the highest York Rite honor as Patron of the Red Cross of the Constantine. He is a member of the Watertown, South Dakota Community Hall of Fame, the Bay City, Michigan Hall of Fame and was recently inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.
John died on December 18, 2019 in Watertown. He is survived by his wife Prudy, daughter Ruth Calvin Scharf, sons John (Sandy) Calvin, Mark (Jennifer) Calvin, six grandchildren, nephew Ben Calvin and friends.
A lover of books and poetry John is best described as a “bulldozer who plants white roses.”