John Walter Caldwell, Sr.

A service of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on September 30, 2017, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 3 South Randolph, San Angelo, Texas, with the Rev. Matthew Rowe officiating. The committal of remains in the Church Columbarium will follow. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home.

John, a scion of an old Texas family, was born on December 12, 1926, in Houston, Texas. He was the younger son of Thomas Jones Caldwell and Ethel Lee Caldwell. He attended Phillips Academy Andover in Andover, Massachusetts. He attended and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. At UT, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He married Jolyn Ferguson in Houston, Texas, on October 27, 1950, at Saint Anne’s Catholic Church in Houston, Texas.

John was a rancher his whole adult life, and he loved every aspect of the country life. He raised sheep and cattle, rising early and working hard. He loved working with horses and dogs. He embraced life – fishing, hunting, backpacking, and bird watching. In particular, he loved the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. He was happiest when he was fly fishing for brook trout in high mountain meadows.

He filled his life with family and good friends. In particular, his group of fellow Kappa Sigs became a band of brothers sharing many good times over the years. He was a great father and uncle, taking his son, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces on fishing and camping trips, shaping their lives in wonderful ways. He loved, and in turn, was loved.

After Joyln’s death in 1997, John had the good fortune to share life with his dear friend, Betty Templeton. With Betty, he was able to jump back into life with gusto. They had great fun together.

John was a gentle, quiet, strong man loved by all who knew him or were touched by him.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Jolyn; his parents; his sister, Joan Chambers Denis; his brother, T. J. Caldwell, Jr.; and his nephew, Jamie Ferguson. He is survived by his son, John Walter Caldwell, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Mary Kate Murray; two grandsons, John Walter Caldwell, III, and Joseph Linscott Caldwell; two great grandchildren, Anavrin and Dean; his brother-in-law, Keene Ferguson of Austin, Texas; his sister-in-law, Nancy Ferguson Haywood and husband, Ted, of Houston, Texas; and his nieces and nephews, A. H. Denis, Jr.; Joanie Denis Johnston; and Richard Lee Denis, all of Van Court, Texas; Scott Ferguson, Hallie Ferguson; and Jodie Ferguson, all of Austin, Texas; Lisa Haywood Westarp of Portland, Oregon; Keene Haywood of Miami, Florida; and Mark Haywood of Houston, Texas.

John’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his dedicated caregivers and all who took care of him in the final years of his life.

The family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of San Angelo, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, or a favorite charity.

My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here

My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer,

A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe ------

My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go!

Robert Burns