Gordon Caldwell

GORDON WILLIAM CALDWELL, 96, entered his Eternal Home on October 8, 2016. He was born on May 23,1920, in Long Beach, CA to missionary parents who had recently returned to the USA from serving in East Africa. The next year, Gordon moved with his family from California to Madison, WS as his father started a new mission there. Then they moved to Marni, Iowa; Osceola, Iowa, and to Hanna City, IL as his father accepted new pastoral assignments. Gordon graduated from Farmington, IL, high school as salutatorian and gave the commencement address. He went on to Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, as did his five siblings. His best friend suggested they obtain their pilot license, so when the US entered WWII they could enlist as pilots. It was during his Christmas vacation from Wheaton in 1941, that Gordon enlisted as a Naval Cadet. Ironically, they sent him back to college for another semester, because they were still in the process of obtaining enough planes to set up a flight school at Iowa University. Gordon finished his basic flight training early, since he was already a licensed pilot. He finished his advanced flight school in Corpus Christi, TX, just in time to become the instructor for the very class with whom he entered Basic Training. He served in the Pacific Theater in WW II, and also served in the Korean Conflict. Gordon married Eleanor Stinson, whom he met at Wheaton on April 19, 1943, on his first leave after being commissioned as an officer in the Marine Aviation Corps. They settled in St. Louis, MO, where Gordon established himself in the residential building business. Over the more than 50 years in St. Louis, Gordon built three different homes for his family; they had four children. He was also quite active in his church responsibilities. Gordon and Eleanor moved to Houston, TX, in the summer of 1966, and joined Tallowood Baptist Church in 1967. He became active here as a deacon & on various committees including the Building & the Missions committees. Eleanor died of cancer in 1978. For five years, he was a widower before he married Mary Park at Tallowood in November 1982. Gordon's favorite pastimes were gardening, reading & current events. His travels focused on visiting as many State & National Parks in the United States as possible. He enjoyed the outdoors most of all. Gordon was preceded in death by his first wife Eleanor, and his wife Mary; by his sister Margaret Caldwell, his brother Sam, his sister Marion Craig, and his sister Ruth McKellin, Peterson. He is survived by his four children: Barbara Morrow (Tom), Dr. Chuck Caldwell (Debra), Diane Byer (Tom), and David Caldwell. Also surviving are his eleven grandchildren: Christi (Luna) Langer, Meredith Morrow (Steve Struemph), John-David Morrow; Kevin Caldwell, Kyle Caldwell (Jenna), Kelly Clinton (Alex), Erin Ham (Steve), Beau Caldwell, Kimberley Byer, Brittaney Byer, and Conner Byer. Gordon has eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his second wife, Mary's family which includes her three daughters, two step sons, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. The family is most grateful to Gordon's caregivers Cecilia Castellanos and Lollie Flores, and the Staff at The Concierge for helping Gordon these last five years. Gordon's desire is for any memorial contributions to be given to Tallowood's Gethsemani Camp or the Tallowood Mission Fund (555 Tallowood Rd., Houston, TX 77024).

Service Information

October 18, 2016 11:00am, Tallowood Baptist Church