Pappy

I received some devastating news in an otherwise stellar day today;  my best friend and hooch-mate in Vietnam , Sonny "Pappy" Calta died at age 74, November 3rd, 2015.  He was born January 11th, 1941. Ever year on/or about the Marine Corps birthday (November 10 ) Pappy would call me; every year for 40 years, to chat and say Semper Fi, marine.  He didn't call this year and I knew something was wrong. His son said the past year was a difficult one for Sonny, but didn't elaborate.
A sad day indeed!
Semper Fi "Pappy, see ya soon.  Keep the hooch dry 'Til I get there.
   Doc (Goofy) LaRock.

Calta, Godfrey “Sonny” Albert

Posted 17 hours ago

Calta, Godfrey "Sonny" Albert Jan 11, 1941 - Nov 3, 2015 Godfrey "Sonny" Albert Calta passed away November 3, 2015 in Loveland, CO. Sonny was born January 11, 1941 in Omaha, NE to Godfrey and Vlasta Calta. A graduate of South High School, Sonny was a stand-out athlete with an outgoing personality and an unwavering zest for life. In 1959, Sonny played in the inaugural Shrine Bowl; achieving and still holds the longest punt return record. Deemed "Mr. January" in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl Anniversary calendar, he was recognized and inducted at the 50th Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame. He went on to play football at Kansas State and University of Arizona. In 1964 Sonny enlisted in the Marine Corps. The proud Marine served in Vietnam and was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal. While in Vietnam, his poem "A Patrol" was published in the New York Times. He retired in Colorado. Sonny is survived by children, Wendy and Robb Nelson, Traci and David Zeigler, Christi and Mike Poehl, Casey Calta, Vicki and Perry Voet and Larry and Deb Green; grandchildren, Brady Nelson, Samantha and Sydney Zeigler, Zach and Kobe Poehl, Chelsea and Josh Voet and Nicki Sedlacek and Brian Green; great-granddaughter, Wrigley Poehl; siblings, Shirley Goodro and Carol Reznicek. Preceded in death by sister Judy Cline and grandson Hunter Nelson. MEMORIAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE 10am Thursday, November, 12, 2015 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113. Burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery to follow. In honor of his grandson Hunter, memorial donations are suggested to: Hunter's Dream for a Cure www.huntersdream.org. Please visit Sonny's online memorial at: www.allnutt.com ALLNUTT DRAKE CHAPEL 650 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526 (970) 482-3208