Linda Kaye Calame

On July 4, 2023, Linda Kaye Harris Calame was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. Born in Mexia, Texas on a very snowy Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948 to proud parents, James Maxie Harris and Mildred Leona Lane Harris, Linda was the couple’s first daughter and middle child of three. 

Linda spent most of her childhood growing up in Arlington, Texas where she graduated from Arlington High School in 1968. She had married Ricky Calame of Wortham, Texas in 1967. They share one son, Bryan Calame of Rendon, Texas. Linda maintained a connection to many many school friends, staying in contact through the years even to the end of her life. Linda was a horse enthusiast from the earliest of her years, developing a love for all things equine. She and her horses competed with local groups in various Play Day activities and frequently carried home prize money as well as belt buckles the size of dinner plates. She rode with a group of ladies known as the Texas Ranger Bells, performing at various functions for several years. The Texas Ranger Bells had the honor of being inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Ft. Worth, Texas in 2019. Linda was so proud to have been a member of this club. The millennium brought about a shift in her life when her prized horse was killed in a horrible accident. Linda traded in her saddle for a two-wheeled iron horse. She loved taking to the road on her motorcycle with a group of friends, or riding with all-girl traveling companions, or a large group of her church family who also love the wind in their faces, as well as groups of family who shared the thrill. She had owned various types of motorcycles however, in 2015 she achieved a long-set goal of purchasing a Harley-Davidson trike. She thoroughly enjoyed getting out on the road with her favorite riding companion, son Bryan. This was the ultimate riding thrill and she road until she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor in December of 2022. Always busy, after the dissolve of her marriage to Ricky Calame, she remained in the metroplex area where she worked at a variety of employments some of which were banking, waitressing, installing home security systems, and others until she found her calling… working for Tarrant County Road and Bridge Precinct 1 where she operated heavy equipment, drove a dump truck, as well as working a shovel for hours along men twice her size and half her age. This post she would hold until retirement at age 73 in March of 2021.

In May of 2021, she fulfilled another dream, that of riding a mule from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to the bottom of the canyon, spending the night at Phantom Ranch and riding out the following day, 10.5 miles each way. She was accompanied on this journey by her sister Deborah and Deborah’s grandson Jack Thomas. Many many many glorious laughs and wonderful memories were produced by that long-awaited journey, and tales of the experience were a frequent subject of conversation, jokes, and sharing of photos. Linda loved the Lord and relied on Him for her daily strength, courage, direction, and fulfillment, until the very end. She was adamant about her daily study with the Lord and His word. She knew she would leave this planet and reside forever in Heaven with Christ. She loved her church family and lived a gracious and blessed life. Linda was always, always the first to step up to help anyone regardless of the need. There was  never a hesitation to extend her hands for physical assistance, her resources to get persons or  often times giving more than she could afford, she never considered the impact or affect her willingness to help others might have on her own situation, it didn’t matter. She was not concerned for herself, ever. The petite five feet, 2 inches tall, Linda was solid goodness and grace, kindness and love through and through. She never held a grudge or judged others, her heart ruled her head and all she knew was love and compassion.

Linda leaves behind a multitude of family and friends who are mourning her loss. Although we all know she is now at complete rest, comfort, peace, and joy, we will always feel her void but each of us carries the essence of her in our hearts. She is only a memory away, a thought, a word, a laugh, a sigh…..we miss her terribly but she is happy and whole, healed and joy filled in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Linda is survived by son Bryan Calame of Rendon, mother Mildred Harris of Mexia, brother

Ronny Harris (Genny) of Arlington, sister Deborah Thomas (Tony) of Teague, granddaughter Macee Calame (Nathan), great grandchildren Teagan and Saylor Bartlett of Burleson, and nephew Cliff Thomas (Trisha), great niece Claire and great nephew Jack of Boerne. As well as a host of other family and an endless of line of friends. Linda is preceded in death by her father James Harris, grandparents Albert and Hallie Harris, and grandparents Joseph and Mattie Lane.

A celebration of life will be held for Linda at her home church of Tabernacle Baptist in Rendon, Texas on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 1:30p. Internment is scheduled at Cotton Gin Cemetery on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 9:00am.

Gone but not forgotten; we will meet again.

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