Calvin George Jin

Calvin George Jin was born in 1954. He was the third child to Russell and Marjorie Jin, who chose his name because his parents felt like Calvin was a “Christian” name. He grew up exhibiting a quiet strength with siblings: Les (Ceil), Doris (Winston), and Evelyn (Stace). He graduated from Vallejo High School as Co-Valedictorian with his cousin, going on to graduate with honors from UC Davis with a degree in Engineering in 1976. Calvin then furthered his education at Stanford University, and graduated with a M.S. in Environmental Engineering in 1977. He then began his 40 year career at the L.A. County Sanitation Districts, receiving his license in civil engineering after two years of service.

Calvin married his wife, Monica, of 43 years in 1978, after meeting in Taipei, Taiwan on the Student Tour Program (a.k.a. “Love Boat”) - although unbeknownst to Monica, Calvin first noticed her during orientation in San Francisco. During their first four years of marriage before becoming parents, Calvin and Monica took dance lessons, went biking, and worked on house projects for their first home in Huntington Beach. They also discovered their love of traveling – which extended throughout their four decades of adventures together. Michelle (Gilbert) was born, followed by Krista (Kyle) four years later. Calvin loved being a “girl dad”, dutifully supporting the ever-engaging activities such as dance recitals and Girl Scouts, never failing to be present, intentional, and involved. He also loved spending time as a family of four, building memories and inside jokes, eating and cooking good food, traveling, and finding their “church home” and “church family” at CPCOC (Journey Evangelical Church).

Though Calvin had always felt so blessed throughout his life, his biggest blessings who lit up his life and gave him so much joy were his grandchildren: Atticus, Emery, and Harper. Even in sickness, he would muster up as much energy as he could to have quality time with them, making sure they knew he loved them “to heaven and back”.

In 2022, after braving a year and nine-month battle with metastatic cancer, Calvin peacefully went into the arms of Jesus, finally healed and whole – surrounded by song and loved ones. He is dearly missed by his wife, two adult children and their spouses, three grandchildren, and so many more in the wake of a race well run.