John Calhoun

John Calhoun served in the US Navy with the 140th Seabee Battallion in World War II and later served in the Korean War. He attended The Ohio State University, graduating in 1950 with a degree in business administration. Calhoun then went to law school at the University of Florida, paying his way by performing with the Aqua Follies, graduating with an LLB in 1958, and earning a JD in 1967. Calhoun had also done some movie work when he was a high school sophomore, performing as Johnny Weissmuller’s double and stuntman in “Tarzan’s Secret Treasure.”

After becoming a lawyer, Calhoun developed spasmodic dystonia, which limited his ability to speak and work in law. He became an ocean lifeguard and for 10 years was the Boca Raton (Florida) Beach Patrol lieutenant. Calhoun’s life saw him pursue many different interests. He worked for a year before law school with Texas Gas Transmission, and then worked as a Broward County Deputy Clerk, as an insurance adjustor, an accountant, and a cartoonist.

Calhoun was a good swimmer as a youth and later entered masters swimming competitions, ranking in the top five nationally. He also surfed competitively in age group competitions, and was the 1983 Florida Grandmaster Surfing Champion, ranking third nationally. Calhoun also took up oil painting and had a 40-painting exhibition at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.