A burial and private family memorial service will be held for Calvin D. Browning, 85, at Page Cemetery, Foss, Oklahoma.
He died Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in Oklahoma City. Calvin was born March 16, 1937, to John and Flora Bell Browning in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. He grew up in Burns Flat before moving to Clinton in the 8th grade. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1957. After graduation he attended Oklahoma State University on a baseball scholarship and played one year before signing a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. In life, Calvin was proud, but very modest about his baseball accomplishments and usually discussed his career with a fun sense of humor.
Calvin’s pro career lasted for seven years (1957-63), with 223 appearances in minor league baseball. Recalled by St. Louis from Triple-A Rochester in June 1960, Calvin’s lone MLB opportunity came in relief on Sunday, June 12, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium. He had many highlights during his minor league career. He pitched the final professional game played in Havana, Cuba in 1960 when the Rochester Red Wings visited the Havana Sugar Kings. Calvin pitched the final two innings of the Triple-A All-Star game in 1958, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out three. He finished out the 1958 season with a league leading 173 strikeouts, the second highest total in Red Wing history, as part of the same pitching staff with MLB Hall-of-Famer Bob Gibson, one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
After playing baseball, Calvin moved back to Clinton, OK and started working with his father-inlaw, James Bartlett at Elk Supply. He eventually became CEO at Elk Supply and continued to build the company throughout his career (1963-1995).
Calvin took time from baseball in 1958 to enter the U.S. Army Reserve training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO completing his time in 6 months.
After retiring from Elk Supply, he spent much of his time in Ruidoso, NM racing horses and playing golf.
He maintained his competitive demeanor by coaching the baseball teams of his children. One of the highlights was winning the OK Kids little league State Championship.
Calvin loved being around people no matter what conversation they were engaged in. He never met a stranger that he didn’t make a friend.
He truly loved being from Clinton, OK and part of the 1956 graduating class.
Preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, J.E. Browning, Roy Browning, Jimmy Browning and survived by 1 sister Janice Browning.
He is survived by his four children and spouses, Kathy and Bill Amalong, Julia Browning, Jim Bob and Rachele Browning, and George and Ana Browning, and 8 grandchildren: John and Stephen Amalong, Garrett, J.P., Lillian, and Theo Browning, and Alexa and Andrea Browning.