Jaan Kalmes' Obituary
Jaan Hillar Kalmes was born in Sao Paulo Brazil, June 21, 1954. His parents were immigrants from Estonia and went to South America to escape WWII. They left for the U.S. when Jaan was very young and settled in the NE. Jaan spoke Estonian at home and German with his grandparents not learning English until he started school. He lived in various areas in New York until his family moved to Canada during his high school years. Jaan was always fascinated by radio. At age 14 he began his own small homemade station with a kit his father bought him which broadcasted around the block. He got his first radio job while still in high school. He was the youngest full time DJ in Canada at a major market station by the age of 19. Jaan worked at various stations in Canada but decided to move to Texas in 1980 when his father took a job in McAllen. He moved to Dallas in 1983 working for KPBC and that is when he met his wife Rebecca, a widow with 3 young children. He jumped into family life with gusto and enjoyed his instant role as a father. He was a hands- on dad, participating in all kinds of activities and travel. They added 3 more children to their brood. Jaan’s first son Isaac was born with Down Syndrome and he always held a special place in Jaan’s heart. They had wonderful times together at Special Olympic events and doing father son activities, like hitting all the latest action movies, going out to eat, and taking many trips to the bowling alley. Jaan also worked at 660 KSKY, 92.5 KZPS, 1310 KAAM, 620 KAAM, 770 KAAM, and his last 2 places of work 93.5 KIKT/KGVL 1400 and Dial Global/Westwood One. During Jaan’s years at KAAM he had the opportunity to host many cruises that took him around the world. He was an amazing travel host and took hundreds and hundreds of listeners with him making wonderful life time friendships. Jaan had a big personality, he loved being in front of an audience and was a natural speaker, never losing his train of thought, never adding an um or an ahh. He brought laughter and fun to every event. He was quick witted, always ready with the joke or one liner. But Jaan had a very serious side as well. Jaan was brought up as a believer and had a strong faith in Christ knowing that when he left this life he would go to meet his Savior face to face. He was a devoted friend, the first to visit someone in the hospital, and read a letter to a nursing home resident who could no longer see to read her letters from the “old country.” His standards to help others knew no limits, inviting friends going through hard times to live with his family until they were back on their feet, giving a helping hand to those that needed it, and bringing words of encouragement and cheer daily to all his listeners. Jaan leaves behind his wife Becca, his children, Meredith and Michael Mauldin, Andrew Thompson, Paul Thompson, Isaac , Caroline, and Elizabeth Kalmes, his grandchildren, Ellia and Jonathan Mauldin, his sister Elaine Gravatt, brother Henno Kalmes and many aunts, uncles and cousins and his beloved dogs. He will be sorely missed. Ladies and gentlemen… Elvis has left the building. The visitation for Jaan Kalmes will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at Restland Funeral Home. The service for Jaan Kalmes will be Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 2:30 PM in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75238.
What’s your fondest memory of Jaan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jaan?
Share a story where Jaan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jaan you’ll never forget.
How did Jaan make you smile?