Earl F. Callaway was a civil rights advocate who participated in several rallies and marches, including the historic Selma to Montgomery March.

He died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 65.

He was born March 12, 1947, to Earl F. Callaway Sr. and Lena E. Guilford Callaway in Montgomery, Ala.

Callaway received his formal education in the Montgomery County Public Schools and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1965. He was a good student and participated in several school activities. He attended Tuskegee University (formerly Tuskegee Institute) in Tuskegee, Ala.

He moved to Philadelphia where he enrolled in the plumbing apprenticeship program through Plumbers Union Local 690. He later joined the Master Plumbers Association where he was the first African American to be elected president. Callaway was elected as treasurer for the board of directors and he served on the apprenticeship committee.

Callaway was the founder and owner of C.E. Franklin, Inc. located in Philadelphia.

“Earl was a loving, dedicated, supportive father who experienced a unique relationship with each of his children,” his family said.

He followed his children as they pursued their interests in field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, baseball and cheerleading. Over the past few years, he treasured the Wednesday night family dinners with his children and other family members. His family said he was an excellent cook and his barbecue was second to none.

Callaway was an avid reader whose interests and hobbies included photography, bird watching, snowboarding, traveling, fishing, listening to jazz, attending jazz festivals and riding his motorcycle. He was a watch collector who had an affinity for jewelry, especially turquoise and other natural stones.

In addition to his parents, Callaway was preceded in death by his sisters, Cora Peterman and Betty Jean Lee-Hodges; and brother, Jack Peterman.

He is survived his children, Brendan Callaway, Rachel Callaway, Laurissa C. Helton, Russell Callaway and Daniel Callaway; grandson, Liam Harris; siblings: Clarance Peterman, Beverly C. Craig, Cynthia C. Platts; niece, Vallery P. Griffis; son-in-law, Joshua Helton; future son-in-law, Matthew Briggs; and other relatives and friends.

Services were held January 31 at Clarence Johnson Jr. Funeral Home at 805 Longacre Boulevard, Yeadon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at https://www.firstgiving.com:443/fundraiser/EarlCallaway/KeeptheMemoryAlive.