Calvin S. Minor, Jr.

Calvin Sherman Minor, Jr. departed this life on May 18, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Janie E. (Bland) Minor and Calvin Sherman Minor, Sr. and his beloved grandmother, Emma E. Bland.

A graduate of Armstrong High School in 1967, he was in the top 3 of his graduating class and a recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Science Award, as well as many other awards for academic excellence. 

Calvin received numerous full scholarships to several prestigious colleges, but he decided to pave the way for Blacks to attend Randolph Macon College, by being the first! After enduring two years of racial iniquities, Calvin decided to join the United States Navy during which time he served upon the USS Enterprise (nuclear reactor engineering and maintenance) during the Vietnam War, from which he was honorably discharged after 8 years of service.

After completing his military service, he worked for Chevron Oil Corporation in Richmond, California before retiring and returning to his home in Richmond, Virginia. He worked for the Henrico Wastewater Treatment Plant until his final retirement from the workforce in 2013.

An avid lover of music, he played in multiple bands and even had the opportunity to play in a band that provided music for the famous vocalist, Patti Labelle. He was also an avid collector of albums, 78s, and 45s during his lifetime – crossing a plethora of music styles and genres.

He was a voracious reader. One of his favorite quotes was by James Baldwin:

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

He leaves to celebrate his life his daughters Vicki Minor and Aerie Minor; three sisters Michelle Crenshaw, Cathy Frazier, Yolanda Russell (Linwood); two brothers Bruce M. Minor, and Kenneth Minor (Regina); a devoted longtime partner Maola Dow; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, associates, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Wilson & Associates' Funeral Service - East Chapel, 5008 Nine Mile Rd., Richmond, VA.  

Flowers may be sent in honor of Calvin to the funeral home one day prior to the service date.  

The family is receiving services of comfort from Wilson & Associates' Funeral Service - East Chapel, 5008 Nine Mile Rd., Richmond, VA.