Stillwater, Oklahoma - Calvin John Anthony, 81, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. A public memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the Oklahoma State University Wes Watkins Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Born on Jan. 19, 1945, in Amarillo, Texas, to Willie Alva Anthony and Nicola Ruth (Alford) Anthony, he was the second born of six children, including Bobby, Judy, Patricia and Sherry.

The family moved to Carney, Oklahoma, when Calvin was about seven years old, where they owned and operated Anthony's Grocery, Dry Goods and Feed for over 25 years. Baseball took Calvin to Oklahoma State University on a scholarship, but following the encouragement of his parents, he left after two years for the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.

A few months before graduating from pharmacy school in 1968, Calvin met and fell in love with Linda Helen Thomas. They were married August 10, 1968, in Chandler and moved to Stillwater.

Calvin and Linda led a charmed life. Over the decades, they traveled all over the earth, visiting over 34 countries for work, adventure or friendship. They both were raised in Church of Christ churches, and they have been members of the Stillwater Church of Christ since moving to Stillwater in 1968.

In 1969, Calvin and Linda purchased Tiger Drug Store, and later Central Drug; later, they would start Perkins Drug and Yale Drug. Then they started Tiger Medical Supply, which Linda managed, and purchased Chris' Pharmacy in Perry.

Calvin was elected mayor of Stillwater in 1985, and in 1992, he began two terms as State Representative for District 34. In 1996, they moved to Fairfax, Virginia, so Calvin could lead the National Community Pharmacy Association, where he worked to preserve the ability to thrive for independent pharmacies across the country. They returned to Stillwater in 2002.

Calvin was governed by a lifelong desire to lift up and make better those around him. He served on numerous boards, but he was most proud of his time on the OSU Board of Regents, Stillwater Medical Center and BancFirst boards. During his life, he received countless awards and commendations; among his proudest include being inducted into both the OSU and Oklahoma Hall of Fames.

Outside of cheering on the Pokes in baseball, wrestling, basketball, football and tennis, Calvin's favorite things were quail hunting, tending to his longhorn cattle and horses, spending every summer in Cuchara, Colorado, and spending time with his beloved grandchildren who cherished him as their "Papa".

Calvin is preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; his grandparents; his parents-in-law; and his sister-in-law.

He is survived by his precious wife, Linda; his daughter, Rebecca Brantley (Will); his son, Luke Anthony (Jen); his son, Andrew Anthony (Aerial); his grandchildren, Grantham Hamm (Jasintha), Olivia Anthony, Jacqueline Hamm, Amelia Lambert (Coleton), Lucille Anthony, Henry Anthony, William Anthony and Lillian Anthony; his brother, Bobby Anthony (Paula), his sisters Judy Conn, Patty Keys (Tom) and Sherry Longan (Stan); and scores of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank Stillwater Medical Center, Primrose Retirement Community and Fresenius Care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a scholarship donation to the OSU Baseball Scholastic Excellence fund in Calvin's memory. Checks can be made out to the OSU Foundation with "baseball scholarship" in the memo line and mailed to OSU POSSE, 102 Athletics Center, Stillwater, OK, 74078. Alternatively, you can donate online at osugiving.com and select fund 23-52030 Baseball Excellence Scholastic Fund.

Condolences may be sent to the family and a full obituary can be read by visiting www.strodefh.com.