Jim Calanchini

     “I’ll call you back”

Archibald J Birdwhacker – aka Jim Calanchini – passed away far more peacefully than you might expect on August 9, 2025. He was born at a young age on January 9, 1947 to Art and Mary Calanchini in Bakersfield CA. It’s entirely likely he told you that he used to live on Radio Street. As a child, his family was so poor that they were forced to watch TV by candlelight. He wore a lot of different hats over his lifetime, from boxer to bus driver, teacher to farmer, salesman to business owner to janitor, dog dad to people dad to husband. He built his companies Downhole Stabilization and Kodiak Machine Inc from the ground up – both of which were actually fronts for hustling people at gin. His nose for business cast a long shadow on the oil field, but he always said that his real legacy was his three sons.

He is survived by his wife Diane; sons Jimmy, Joe, and John; daughters-in-law Michelle, Valerie, and Tové; and grandchildren Cole, Jack, Vivienne, and Tyson.

Service will be held on Monday August 18, 9:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, followed by burial at Union Cemetery.