Leslie ‘Les’ John Callan Jr

Leslie ‘Les’ John Callan Jr, husband to Judith ‘Judy’ Bolchoz Callan, entered into eternal rest on April 2, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

Les was born on August 12,1958 in Montgomery, Alabama, a son of Leslie J. Callan Sr and Connie Nicometo Callan Woodruff. Following graduation from GW Carver High School in 1980, Les started his 40-year journey with CSX Railroads in Montgomery.

Les participated in church groups at St Andrew’s where he was an altar server and eventually responsible for training new altar servers. Les was the person family and friends called first when there was a project, because Les was ‘Mr. Do-It-All’. Until her death, Les’ mom would meet him on every visit home with a ‘mom-do-list’ which of course was always completed successfully prior to his departure. Growing up, the extended Italian family gathered for Sunday dinners, holidays, and family celebrations, and Les was guaranteed to be there playing bocce ball in the backyard or poker with his aunts at the kitchen table telling jokes and being the life of the party.

In 1987, Les left his beloved Alabama to take advantage of CSX opportunities in Jacksonville, FL and Rocky Mount, NC. In 1987, Les made one of the most important decisions in his life and moved to Charleston, SC. Les settled in Mt Pleasant where he met Judy in 1989. Les and Judy were married in 1994, and their family was complete when Ian was born in 2002. The Callan family were lifelong members of Christ Our King Catholic Church.

While Les kept Alabama and his family and friends in his heart and returned often, he made Mt. Pleasant his new home. He was a devoted, loving, and loyal husband, father, sibling, and friend. The Callans lived a vibrant and active life that they shared with family and friends. They had Ian on the boat in Shem Creek when he was an infant and would become lifelong boaters. They were also active on the local softball circuit for many, many years. An avid sports fan, Les was a diehard Alabama fan who could tell you anything you wanted to know about Alabama football. He was an Eagle scout, and Les was incredibly involved in local scouting. He was an Eagle Scout mentor for Ian and several of his friends. Les was a true jack of all trades who was constantly helping friends and family with home projects using his infamous ‘Alabama math skills.’ Les was a great father who was always teaching and passing on these life skills to Ian. He was a devoted friend who would do anything to help you. In retired life, Les and Judy bought their camper and spent many happy miles and hours travelling across the country with family and friends, often to places Les was visiting for the first time.

Les is survived by Judy, his wife of 30 years, and his son Ian; his sisters Lorene ‘Lorie’ Mullins (Chip) and Candita ‘Candy’ Woodruff (John); his brother John J. Callan; his nieces and nephews Kelly Pennington (Joey), Erin Wroten (Michael), John Leslie Mullins, Kelsey Callan, Meghan Callan (Kyle), John Michael Callan, Courtney Riddle, Carlie Kervin, and Connor Kervin. Les is also survived by his brothers-in-law Manning Bolchoz, Joey Bolchoz (Patty), and Lonnie Ferguson III as well as nephews and nieces Manning Bolchoz, Ryan Bolchoz (Rebecca), Patrick Bolchoz, Trey Bolchoz (Melia); Beth Bellebaum (Andrew); Lonnie Ferguson IV; and Lauren Ferguson (Robert). Les was preceded in death by his mother Connie, his father Leslie, his father-in-law Ruford Bolchoz, his mother-in-law Margaret Bolchoz, his brother-in-law Charles Bolchoz, and his sister-in-law Karen Ferguson.

The family will receive friends on April 10, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ Our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 on April 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Road, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464.

His journey now ended, his purpose here served, Les found Eternal Life on April 2, 2025. Be thou at peace our friend. Roll Tide.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Christ Our King Catholic Church, 1149 Russell Drive, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.