John Graham McCaleb

May 26, 1934 - October 23, 2021

John Graham McCaleb, 87 of Woodstock, passed away in his sleep on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at his home. Born on May 26, 1934, in Harrisonburg, Virginia to the late Thomas and Elizabeth (Groseclose) McCaleb. John graduated from Virginia Tech in 1956 then moved to Japan as a Methodist Missionary. After earning his M.A. in Japanese Literature from Stanford University, he taught at Stanford then returned to Japan. Upon return, he began a career as an English professor at Seijo University in Tokyo and also as a newspaper editor and translator. John became a well-known personality on Japan Broadcast Corporation (NHK) television, teaching English conversation. He also published dictionaries of English colloquialisms as well as many other books related to the study of English for Japanese readers. He was also well known as the translator of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books into Japanese language. He will be remembered for his love of language and his fondness for Japanese culture. John was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy McCaleb and brother, Thomas B. McCaleb. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Tsuneko McCaleb; his son Ken and his wife Kate and three grandchildren, Kai, Mia and Alisa. A remembrance ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 30 from 4-6 p.m. at Dellinger Funeral Homes, Woodstock, VA. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Blue Ridge Hospice (https://brhospice.org/donate)