Obituary for Thomas Rae Caldwell
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, Oklahoma 73521
(580) 482-1233
CALDWELL
Thomas “Tom†Caldwell, 75, Altus, Oklahoma was welcomed into heaven on Sunday, December 8th, 2013. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, December 12th at Lowell Tims Funeral Home and Chapel with Jerry Don Henry officiating. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery.
He was born January 9, 1938 in Independence, Kansas to Walter Carl and Mary Evelyn (Loggan) Caldwell. He grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas and later moved to Irving, Texas where he graduated from high school in 1956. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his enlistment, he traveled to Japan, Korea, Tailand and many places throughout the United States.
Tom married Barbara Jean Stanley in Lake Charles, Louisiana on June 4, 1960. He continued his career in the military, which took him to Ft. Worth, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas, Rantoul, Illinois and later, Altus, Oklahoma. He retired from the Air Force in 1979, and began working for Morrison Wholesale (Smiley’s Auto), as a mechanic. He later opened a u-haul business and tire service center.
Tom loved collecting things. He was a true “American Picker†before picking was cool. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Old cars, hot wheels, stock car racing and going to auctions were his favorite past times.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Evelyn Caldwell and brother, William Carl Caldwell.
Tom is survived by his wife Barbara; father, Walter Carl Caldwell of Irving, Texas; sons, Thomas R. Caldwell, Jr. and wife Susan of Paris, Texas; Kevin D. Caldwell and friend Malinda Barkley of Moorseville, North Carolina; daughters, Carol J. Buchanan and husband Joe of Altus, Oklahoma; Kathy J. Holder and husband Mark of Creta, Oklahoma. Sisters; Marilyn Berlin and husband Harry (Bud) Berlin of Garland, Texas; Dorothy Lawrence of Irving, Texas. 10 Grandchildren; Thomas R. Caldwell, III, Taylor R. Caldwell, Tatum Morgan-Burnett, Ashley N. Caldwell, Lindsey M. Stehr, Jake T. Buchanan, Joe Colson Buchanan, Haley B. Holder-Pannell, Harrison J. Holder, Brent Pannell, Great-Grandson Noah Burnett and many, many friends.
The family will greet friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel.
Online tributes may be made to the family at www.Lowell-Tims.com
For family and friends not able to attend the service, Lowell-Tims will provide a live web-cast of the service beginning at 1:58 p.m. Thursday. Go to www.Lowell-Tims.com and click on obituaries. Then click on Thomas Caldwell. There will be a large button inviting you to join the web-cast.
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1100 E. Tamarack Road
Altus, Oklahoma 73521
(580) 482-1233
CALDWELL
Thomas “Tom†Caldwell, 75, Altus, Oklahoma was welcomed into heaven on Sunday, December 8th, 2013. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, December 12th at Lowell Tims Funeral Home and Chapel with Jerry Don Henry officiating. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery.
He was born January 9, 1938 in Independence, Kansas to Walter Carl and Mary Evelyn (Loggan) Caldwell. He grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas and later moved to Irving, Texas where he graduated from high school in 1956. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his enlistment, he traveled to Japan, Korea, Tailand and many places throughout the United States.
Tom married Barbara Jean Stanley in Lake Charles, Louisiana on June 4, 1960. He continued his career in the military, which took him to Ft. Worth, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas, Rantoul, Illinois and later, Altus, Oklahoma. He retired from the Air Force in 1979, and began working for Morrison Wholesale (Smiley’s Auto), as a mechanic. He later opened a u-haul business and tire service center.
Tom loved collecting things. He was a true “American Picker†before picking was cool. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Old cars, hot wheels, stock car racing and going to auctions were his favorite past times.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Evelyn Caldwell and brother, William Carl Caldwell.
Tom is survived by his wife Barbara; father, Walter Carl Caldwell of Irving, Texas; sons, Thomas R. Caldwell, Jr. and wife Susan of Paris, Texas; Kevin D. Caldwell and friend Malinda Barkley of Moorseville, North Carolina; daughters, Carol J. Buchanan and husband Joe of Altus, Oklahoma; Kathy J. Holder and husband Mark of Creta, Oklahoma. Sisters; Marilyn Berlin and husband Harry (Bud) Berlin of Garland, Texas; Dorothy Lawrence of Irving, Texas. 10 Grandchildren; Thomas R. Caldwell, III, Taylor R. Caldwell, Tatum Morgan-Burnett, Ashley N. Caldwell, Lindsey M. Stehr, Jake T. Buchanan, Joe Colson Buchanan, Haley B. Holder-Pannell, Harrison J. Holder, Brent Pannell, Great-Grandson Noah Burnett and many, many friends.
The family will greet friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel.
Online tributes may be made to the family at www.Lowell-Tims.com
For family and friends not able to attend the service, Lowell-Tims will provide a live web-cast of the service beginning at 1:58 p.m. Thursday. Go to www.Lowell-Tims.com
To send flowers in memory of Thomas Rae Caldwell, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
11
Dec
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Thursday
12
Dec
2:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
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