Calvin John Henry Winbush

The 8th child of 12 Calvin Winbush was born January 11th 1949. He was raised by William Johnson and Susie Johnson; foster parents, in Beltzhoover a neighborhood located in southern Pittsburgh, PA. Born with a hole in his heart Calvin spent most of his childhood gravely ill. However, with time, growth, and divine intervention the hole closed on its own.

Growing up Calvin participated in football, played the saxophone, and enjoyed his favorite activity; roller skating. As a junior in high school Calvin worked part time for Northwest Airlines. Graduated from South Hills High School in 1967 and took on a fulltime position with Northwest Airline as an Equipment Service Employee.

In 1969 he met his future wife and the mother of his two children at a church function and the two were united in holy matrimony on May 2nd 1970. In-between his work shifts at Northwest Airlines Calvin DJ'd with the local disco and was interviewed by the local news and radio station for his exceptional knack for the job adopting the alias, 'The Burning Bush'.

His son Calvin Jay Winbush was born June 27th 1971 followed two years later by his daughter Sharmagne Louise Winbush on September 9th 1973. Wanting to discover more of what the world had to offer, Calvin moved the family to Seattle Washington in 1977.

In addition to working fulltime with Northwest Airlines as an equipment service chief he picked up a job in construction. With his exceptional innate abilities for the craft he helped to build his first home along with several others in the community. Construction and Architectural design was one of many God given talents that Calvin excelled at and he later found himself designing Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tacoma Washington.

He devoted much of his time to youth activities. Calvin assisted with coaching little league baseball and inter-city youth football. He organized one of the best Northeast Tacoma Elementary school talent shows. Planned and structured youth weekly bible study, organized youth vacation bible camps, and always made time for his favorite pastime… roller skating, of course.

In 1988 tragedy struck and Calvin's world would never be the same. His wife of 18 years died of cancer, leaving him to raise two children on his own. Calvin's world had taken a turn for the worst and he found it necessary to reinvent himself. After relocating out of state and eventually leaving Northwest Airlines he found himself adrift in Sacramento California.

New love was brewed at Starbucks for Calvin when he met Linet Ndanyi. The two instantly connected and were united in marriage on August 24th 2007. With mutual interests Calvin's passion and desires to serve other was once again ignited.

Native to Nairobi, Kenya his wife felt passionate about improving the living conditions of the people in her home land. When she approached Calvin with the idea of opening an African Imports store he supported her wholeheartedly and LiBush International opened its doors in the fall of 2011. It was a small store barely visible from the streets of Old Sacramento and there were many who opposed his decision to open up such a store, however Calvin continued to fulfill his wife's dream. The store benefited by Calvin's natural ability to connect with people and his business and social networks quickly grew. By 2013 Libush International had out grown its humble begins and was relocated to K street in Old Sacramento which was a much more desirable location. Keeping with the stores purpose, a portion of the proceeds paid for 150 orphans in Kenya to eat three meals a day, 7 days a week. But in Calvin's eyes that wasn't enough. He knew that they needed more than food to change their situation.

Calvin created LiBush International Outreach, a nonprofit organization to provide education and food security through water and agricultural projects. He established partnerships with Alcon University, UC Davis and Woodland High School to support the cause and toured the small isolated communities of the Vihiga district in Kenya with representatives from Alcon University to gather soil samples and establish headquarters in the area.

Calvin also found the time to organize charitable fashion shows, serve as chairman of the Old Sacramento Merchant's Committee, serve on the Executive Committee for the Old Sacramento Business Association, and participate as a member of the Old Sacramento Advisory Council…and yes, he made time to go roller skating.

Surrounded by family Calvin passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, February 2nd, 2018

Surviving Calvin Winbush is first and foremost his beloved wife of ten years, Linet Ndanyi- Winbush, siblings; Alberta Middleton, Migenet Pope, Dewayne Winbush, Sabirah Khabir-Nazir, Thomas Winbush, Gertrude (Mujadilah) Hurt, and Larry (Davis) Winbush, children; Calvin J Winbush J.R., Sharmagne L Winbush, grandchildren; Quintin Winbush, Miya Winbush, Sidney Winbush, Orian Winbush, Kaileya Winbush, and Ronin Winbush.

Calvin was predeceased by his foster parents, William Johnson and Susie Johnson; his first wife; Althea Winbush, his brothers; Floyd Winbush, Leroy Winbush, Walter Winbush, and sister; Rosie Keith.

Calvin would want all to remember that quality of life mattered more than quantity of life.

The Celebration of Life service and wake will be held at Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel on February 24th, 2018 at 2:00 P.M.
Heritage Oaks Memorial Chapel
6920 Destiny Drive
Rocklin, CA 95677

A Tribute Skate will be held in Calvin's honor on February 24th at 11:00 P.M. (adults only)
Sunrise Rollerland
6001 Sunrise Vista Dr.
Citrus Heights, CA 95610, USA