Retired Army 1SG Calvin Andre Nance Sr. age 54 of Virginia formerly of Fayetteville NC departed this life Saturday, October 15, 2022.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 29th at 1:00 PM in Wiseman Mortuary Chapel with full military honors to follow.
Viewing: Saturday, October 29th 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Wiseman Mortuary Inc.
What is Love? Fifty-four years, fifty-two days, and fourteen hours packaged into the most handsome, loving, giving, caring, happy, funny, gifted, passionate bundle of sheer determination, joy, and light...that islove, and his name is Calvin Andre Nance Sr. On August 23, at 11:45 p.m. weighing only 4 lbs. and6 oz, this giant of a man began his life at Crisp County Hospital Cordele, Georgia and the world would never be the same. Calvin often said, “You are the master of your own destiny” and he created a big and beautiful life grounded in purpose and intent. Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift were his cardinal principles from the very beginning.
From birth, it was clear that Calvin was placed on this Earth to spread love and laughter to everyone. The happiest baby his mom and dad, Betty JeanDaniels,and David William Nance, could ever dream of, “Poo” grew up, building and jumping bike ramps, crashing go karts, and wearing capes like a superhero. He was surrounded by a large and loving family and a community of friends who encouraged his love of school and sports; particularly football. As a young boy, Calvin often dreamed of an NFL career, so he worked hard at and excelled on the football field determined to one day suit up as a pro wide receiver. Calvin credits his Uncle Nathaniel with his passion and lifelong dedication to weightlifting and overall fitness-often saying that stacking trailers full of watermelons for Uncle Natbeforefootball practice was thedemanding workthat not only made football drills easier but also shaped how he would live his life.
After graduating from Crisp County High School at 18, Calvin enrolled at Savannah State University and quickly realized the cost was just too great, so he briefly returned home to Cordele GA, worked oddjobs,andplannedfor his education.Education wasespecially importantto Calvin, and he was determined to succeed. He first joined the US Navy and after a contractual error, Calvin would persevere by becoming a US Army soldier.Courage and strength were his foundation throughout bootcamp training and during his assignment at Ft Riley KS. He would also welcome his greatest joy, daughter Brittany on February 5, 1991, while stationed there. Calvin served in both peacetime and wartime while deployed to Haiti, Bosnia, Jordan, and Iraq with some of the bravest men and women, and wasawardedthe Bronze Star Medal, among many other distinguished awards and accommodations.
After serving overseas in both Korea and Japan, Calvin spent time stateside at Fort Bragg NC, Home of the Airborne and Special Operation Force, where he met and fell in love with Tamara, a fellow MasterJumpmaster who he later married in 1999; and along with daughter Brittany, they became a family. Calvin and Tamara were blessed with son Andre while stationed at Fort Bragg and served over ten years there in total. Calvin and his family went on tojointoverseas assignments in both Korea and Hawaii. He has always embodied and exemplified the principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. In Spring of 2006, while stationed in Korea, Calvin fulfilled a lifelong dream when he was inducted into the mighty Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Brother Calvin Andre Nance, Sr. Life Member #5477, was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated on July 22, 2006, via the Lambda Xi Chapter, in the Republic of Korea, “The RoK Hard Ques.” Brother Nance was the ACE of his line and after his initiation into the fraternity, immediately dedicated himself to the work of Omega. Brother Nance loved the Omega fraternity and let it be known through his community work, chapter involvement, and to no one’s surprise, earned the Superior Service Man of the Year his first year. Upon returning to the states, Brother Nance immediately united with the local chapter to continue serving. As a member of the Tau Rho Chapter, Fredericksburg VA, Brother Nance held the offices of Assistant Keeper of Records and Seal, Keeper of Records and Seal, and served on various committees. As the Keeper of Records and Seal, Brother Nance immediately sought to innovate and modernize the chapter, standing up a SharePoint site, developing Google documents to manage the chapter, and training Brothers on the use of SharePoint and Google documents. His work was instrumental in helping the chapter win 2020 International Small Chapter of the Year. Brother Calvin Nance Sr was a Brother's Brother who extended Friendship to everyBrotherhe met along his journey.
Calvin never lost sight of continuing his education by taking classes at every duty station and earning multiple degrees along the way. He always strived for and demonstrated educational excellence and ownership; he instilled those principles in his children and often encouraged family members to pursue their higher education and start their own businesses.Calvin was purposeful and driven in everything he did and determined to earn his master's degree before retirement. While on his final combat deployment, still enrolled at Central Michigan University, Calvin mentored, guided, and led his soldiers during hostile conflict, andcompletedhis mission. He redeployed back to Hawaii, and joined by his family and friends, walked in his last college graduation ceremony. His greatest satisfaction came by his transferring GI Bill education benefits to Brittany, who had already earned an academic scholarship to Spelman College, thereby helping her graduate college-withNOstudent loan debt. Calvin was always looking forward and planning for the future of his family.Calvin and Tamara chose to settle in Stafford VA, after both retiring from the US Army, with a combined active-duty service record of over 43 years.
After moving to Stafford VA, Calvin continued service to his country and began working at the Department of Homeland Security now as a general service employee.During his 12-year tenure of federal government service, Calvin always maderemarkable thingshappen and achieved many accomplishments. While serving as FPS National Fleet Manager and Fleet Management Branch Chief, Calvin was responsible for oversight and management of a 1200+ vehicle fleet supporting law enforcement operations. Calvin conducted a year long, nationwide inspection of the FPS vehicle fleet and used the results to plan and execute a complete replacement of the FPS law enforcement vehicle fleet with new, more capable vehicles. Once promoted to Division Director for Administrative Services Division in 2018, Calvin took charge of all logistics functions including facilities, property, and fleet management, leading major facility construction projects including the expansion and upgrade of the FPS Bren Mar Alexandria, VA facility and construction of a new, state of the art law enforcement training center at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA. Calvin demonstrated hiscommitmentto his employees by implementing numerous recognition awards and engagement events to celebrate team members and Division accomplishments. Calvin was an integral part of a DHS Excellence in Management Award winning leadership team which managed a multi-million-dollar project to close an FPS Mega Center call and dispatch center, ahead of schedule and under budget. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Calvin seamlessly transitioned his team to remote work to maintain employee wellness, while continuing to providesuperior supportincluding guidance and protections for FPS facilities where law enforcement officers remained on duty. Calvin also oversaw the execution of the highly performing FPS property program, a program routinely recognized for excellence - including the highest inventory accuracy percentage in DHS in 2021. Calvin was always looking for ways to improve those around him and the systems in place. He established the FPS Environmental Program, ensuring that FPS met Federal guidelines for environmental compliance, sustainability, and historic preservation of Federal facilities. In true fashion, Calvin took a leading role in planning and executing assessments of thefirst everelectric Federal law enforcement vehicle to identify requirements and influence design of future electric vehicles for law enforcement service.
Calvin shared his passion for fitness, football, and muscle cars with many.When Calvinwas notworking, he and son Andre spent time together, detailing his ’66 Chevelle and going to car shows. Andre really loved bringing home the winning trophies. Calvin and the family traveled to Raiders games, and he often volunteered at Jordyn’s school and shared all the children’s accomplishments on social media. He shared his love of fitness by inspiring others to stay active and ran several marathons supporting the Run for Autism organization in honor of his children,Andre,and Jordyn.
Out of all the remarkable accomplishments in his 54 years of life, this incredible, respectful, intelligent, and loving gentleman we know as Calvin Andre Nance Sr. will be remembered and cherished most for how he modeled his love for Christ by taking care of his entire family and serving his community and country. Anyone who knows Calvincannothelp but smile at the mention of his name. His love of life,dailyphone calls checking on loved ones both near and far, coupled with his unwavering love of the one and only Las Vegas Raiders, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.,andhis 66 Chevelle and Corvette ZO6, altogether make him unforgettable and legendary.Retired Army First Sergeant Calvin Andre Nance Sr.,passed away surrounded by friends and family at Mary Washington Hospital, October 15, 2022.Calvin’s legacy will live on forever ineveryheart that he has touched, especially in that of his own children Brittany Sade Nance, “Andre” Calvin Nance Jr., and his “baby girl” Jordyn Danielle Nance. Until we meet again, Calvin, know that you are forever loved. Rest easy “Good Thang”.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” –JEREMIAH 29:11 (KJV)
(PRECEDED) He is precededby his grandparents: Deacon A. J. and Mary Nance,Buford and Emma Jean Jones and brothers Daryl Hunter and Cregory Nance Sr. (Charity).
Calvin is survived by: his parents, David Nance, Cordele, GA, Deacon Alonzo and Betty Daniels, Lilly, GA; his wife Tamara Nance, Stafford, VA, three children, Brittany Nance, Los Angeles, CA, Calvin Andre Nance Jr. andJordyn Nance, Stafford, VA; seven siblings, Gregory Barron, Ashburn, GA, Reginald Nance, Jersey City, NJ, Chiquita Burton (Terris), Atlanta, GA, Tarsha Sanders, Cordele, GA, Rotunda Gamble-Ampoti, Ashburn, GA, Precious Royal, Cordele, GA; 14 aunts, Lucy Trice (James), Cordele, GA, Evelyn Appling (Gary), Sandra Jones, Barbara Haugabrook (Deacon Freddie), all of Cordele, GA, Crystal Renay Jones,Raleigh, NC, Felicia Vereen, Macon, GA, Beulah Nance and Ernestine Nance of Cordele, GA, BauBauK. Nance, Boston, MA, Gwendolyn Nance Martin, Indianapolis, IN, Helen Spencer(Walter), Greenville, GA, Thelma Smith, Cordele GA, Geraldine Daniels, Vienna, GA, Barbara Daniels, Unadilla, GA; 12 uncles, Bobby Jones (Dorothy) and Charles Jones of Cordele, GA, RockyJones, Marlton, NJ, Deacon Fred Jones, Arabi, GA, Thomas Jones (Linda), Alexandria, VA, Deacon Nathaniel Nance(Faye), Vienna, GA, Aaron Nance (Vivian), Cordele, GA, James Robert Daniels (Debra), Atlanta, GA, Deacon Frankie Daniels, Lilly GA, Michael Daniels (Sandy), Pinehurst, GA, Calvin Daniels (Mia), Warner Robins, GA, Reverend W.C. Daniels, Albany, NY; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; andnumerous heartbroken friends.
Arrangements entrusted to Wiseman Mortuary Inc.
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