Robert Callahan

Robert Micheal Callahan passed away surrounded by family on January 19, 2023 at the age of 71 after a long and stubborn fight with cancer.

Mike was born February 8, 1951 in Clinton Mississippi - the oldest of five children and only son of Jane and Dave Callahan. He was a precocious child. From jumping out of second floor windows in elementary school to escaping from babysitters at age 3 on his tricycle in his birthday suit, he was born a bold and creative troublemaker.

Mike was a devoted husband of 50 years to Deborah and together they raised five children. Mike and Deborah met while Mike was an undergraduate at Birmingham Southern College. Deborah was working at her family pet shop, Mike was barefoot and dropping goldfish in the piranha tanks. Mike knew from the start that he had a connection with Deborah. Deborah took a little convincing. Luckily, after several declined invitations, Deborah finally agreed to go out with the shaggy college student and the rest was history.

Mike graduated from Birmingham Southern and went on to get his JD from University of Alabama Law School. After a short year working in the public defender's office in Birmingham, Mike was accepted into the FBI as one of the top 5 recruits across the country. He had a 27 year career as an FBI Special Agent in field offices across the country in Kansas City, New York City, Georgia, and Birmingham. He would also teach federal, state, and city law enforcement officers at Quantico throughout his career.

After retiring from the FBI, Mike opened A to Z Confidential Investigations, Inc., a successful private investigation firm that he captained for over 10 years, working cases with as much passion and professionalism in the private sector as he had as a federal agent.

If he wasn’t at work, he was with his family. He was a devoted father who coached and cheered on his children’s soccer, baseball, and wrestling matches. In the off-season you could find him in a canoe baiting fish hooks and eating vienna sausages.

As his children became parents, he delighted in his role as a grandfather. Always a child at heart, he loved rolling on the floor, tickling bellies, getting muddy, and laughing too loud. He was a fun loving grandfather who adored his grandchildren.

He loved eating hot tamales, spaghetti dinners, and peanuts. He loved drinking original Coca-Cola from glass bottles and vanilla milkshakes from anywhere. He loved watching Alabama football and old westerns while in his recliner. He loved driving, especially in an old car. He loved traveling, making it to all 50 states with one or more grandkids in tow. He loved making new friends and never met a stranger. But more than anything else, he loved watching his grandkids play sports, telling old stories that were sometimes true, and being surrounded by his family.

Mike is survived by his wife Doborah; his daughters Kelly, Abby, and Amanda; his sons Sean and David; his sisters Patricia, Kathy, Maureen, and Bonnie; and his 13 grandchildren. He will be deeply missed and often remembered.

Services for Mike will be on February 11th at 10 am St. John Vianney Church in Gallatin, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Alive Hospice (615-250-1333) and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.