Gayl Ann (Jones) Calvin

Gayl Ann (Jones) Calvin was born December 13, 1944 in Harrisonville, MO, the oldest of two children born to Florin and Elinore (Mueller) Jones. Gayl went to be with the Lord at the age of 81 on September 7, 2026, at the Grace Space hospice home in Lincoln, NE.

Raised on the family farm in Creighton, MO, Gayl was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Creighton before graduating from Creighton High School in 1962 then attending St. Paul’s College, Concordia, MO before receiving her Bachelor’s degree in education at Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, NE. Upon graduation she began her music education career in the Lee’s Summit School District. In 1968 she married Terry Calvin and they soon settled in Blue Springs, MO. Gayl earned her Master’s degree from Kansas University in 1973, same year that they started their family. Gayl continued to teach in the Lee’s Summit school district until 1975 when she began her in-home piano studio teaching many students weekly. She returned to music teaching in 1986 at James Lewis Elementary in Blue Springs until she retired in 2004.

Music played a central role in Gayl’s life. She began playing organ for her church while in high school, continuing to play for more than 60 years, primarily at Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs, MO where she was also director of music ministries and numerous choirs and ensembles. But some of her most important time spent was with her husband, children and extended family. Always happy to meet new people, Gayl had numerous friends and her enthusiasm for others was a special gift. Once you met her she made it clear that her faith in Christ was central to how she approached life and served others, acting in many capacities at Timothy while also attending Bible studies and remaining dedicated to ensuring worship services were meaningful and a source of joy in the Lord.

Gayl loved to cook, travel, camp and play games with her family but also committed time to those around her who needed a listening ear or a dear friend.

She is preceded in death by her husband Terry and her parents. She is survived by her daughter Molly (Nathan) Bassett, Lincoln, NE; son Matthew, Liberty, MO, and five granddaughters, Hannah (Scott) Neihardt, Omaha, NE; Hope (Ethan) Rickords, Hickman, NE; Leah (Brighton) Kollipara, Lincoln, NE; Haley and Shelby Calvin, Liberty, MO; and a great granddaughter, Elinore Rickords.

Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Timothy Lutheran Church, Blue Springs, Missouri. 

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Timothy Lutheran Church, Blue Springs, Missouri with a Luncheon to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Grace Space Hospice in Lincoln, NE or Timothy Lutheran Church Music Ministry, Blue Springs, MO.