Donald (Don) Van McCalister, Jr. passed from this life unexpectedly and peacefully, on May 28, 2020 with his loving wife Joy and stepson Bobby by his side.

Don was the first of two children born to Donald Van McCalister, Sr. and Nancy Lou Stowers Franta.  He was born on May 28, 1955 in Ventura, California. He spent much of his adult life in Huntsville, AL; Brownsville, TX; Austin, TX; and finally Stuart, FL.  Don graduated Cum Laude from the University of Texas in Austin with a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology. He had numerous career interests which including home remodeling, furniture sales, cabinet making, furniture making, musical entertainment, and musical instruction.

Don especially loved performing. He sang and played guitar. Don loved making music and he enjoyed the many friendships created along the way. Don focused his musical interests on Texas Swing, and to a lesser extent on Blues. In Austin, TX, Don was fortunate to meet and work with many talented musicians, and with their help, Don created several CDs and routinely played gigs and events in and around Austin. Owing to his persistence, sales skills, and hours on the phone prior to the Internet, Don organized and booked his first four-person Texas Swing band tour through England, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, and Italy.  He had the time of his life during several European tours.  The people of Italy really stole his heart and he returned numerous times to perform and visit the friends he made.

Don loved people, relationships, cultures, music, and new experiences. Those who knew Don, knew a gentle, funny, warm-hearted friend.  We trust now that Don is at peace, pain free, and that he rests in the arms of Jesus Christ and reunited with family and friends who have gone before.

Don was preceded in death by his mother Nancy Stowers Franta and father Donald Van McCalister, Sr. Don is survived by his wife Joy Ann Derrick McCarty and stepson Bobby McCarty of Stuart, FL; his daughter Ashleigh Crane and grandson Andrew Crane of Tullahoma, TN; his brother W. Kirby McCalister, sister-in-law Gretchen, and nieces Addison and Audrey of Fayetteville, AR and nephew W. Taylor Elliott of Providence, RI; his brother Ian McCalister, sister-in-law Erin and nephews Greyson, Reed, and Oak and his stepmother Noel McCalister of Huntsville, AL; and, his dear cousins scattered across the country.

During this time of COVID-19, no service or celebration of life is planned. Memorial contributions can be made in Don's name to any charity or good cause.