A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Terry Calkins
- By: Claire Kenney
- Last Updated: April 15, 2026
Terry Calkins has lived in La Porte County all his life. It’s where he grew up, raised his own family, worked, retired, and currently spends time with his grandchildren.
“I’m basically a lifelong member of La Porte,” he said. “I love the community, its lakes, its parks, and its small, tight-knit atmosphere.”
Calkins and his wife belong to The First Church of God. They volunteer in the nursery as much as possible at the church.
“We do what we can,” said Calkins. “You step up and sacrifice to help others. That’s what you do, especially for your family. Helping others enriches everyone’s lives.”
Calkins and his wife Lisa have been married for over 40 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.
“My wife and I like riding our bikes together and going out on walks,” said Calkins. “We love being out in nature.”
When life becomes tough and uncertain, they tackle it together as a couple. They also rely on God.
“My daughter went through a very tough battle with hard drug addiction,” said Calkins. “For 10 years, every night my wife and I didn’t know if she’d be found dead. We prayed for an entire decade, and today she is a thriving wife and mother.”
His daughter’s drug addiction tested his faith, but it also made it stronger.
“Witnessing my daughter survive this battle with drugs and eventually become a devout Christian grew my faith exponentially,” said Calkins.
Prior to his retirement in 2016, Calkins was a career nurse. He came out of retirement for about a year and a half when he saw an increased need for medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. From early 2021 to about mid-2022, Calkins helped out in a local COVID clinic.
“I was driven to do something,” said Calkins.
Retirement has allowed Calkins to spend more time with his grandchildren Everly and Lilliana. He really treasures his moments with both of them. It also allowed Calkins to remain involved in his community.
One of Calkins’ passions is to serve the Christian Appalachian project in southeastern Kentucky each year helping rebuild and restore the homes of the less fortunate. He also volunteers at LifeWise Academy.
“I am thankful to God for leading me to be part of LifeWise Academy in our community as a volunteer and bus driver for the students. To see young lives being transformed by the truth of the gospel is so rewarding.”
On a fairly regular basis, Calkins watches his granddaughters when his children don’t have childcare. Recently, he watched Lilliana when her daycare center was closed. He was so grateful for his day with her, and it reminded him of how fast his grandchildren grow.
“Both of my grandchildren are a blessing,” he said. “It’s fun to see their view of the world, and I cherish as many moments as I can because children grow up so fast. Their outlook is so precious and innocent.”
When he was a child, Calkins learned how to make kites out of very simple materials with his uncle.Today he still enjoys doing so and sometimes he’ll fly his kites with his grandchildren.
“I like making kites in my spare time,” said Calkins. “My grandchildren always love flying them with me. It’s a fun hobby to share with Lilliana and Everly.”
Calkins is a very caring man. He’s making an impact in his immediate family and outside of his family and within the larger La Porte County community.