Donn Maxwell Caldwell

He was born in Denver, Colorado during World War II and grew up in Fort Worth, graduating from Trimble Tech High School, where he earned his HAM radio license and competed on the State Champion rifle team coached by his father from 1956-60. His call sign—K5IHD—was known around the world. Donn was an "Army Brat" and the very beginning of the Baby Boomers.

Donn worked for 38 years at Bell Helicopter Textron, wiring Huey helicopters through the Vietnam era and beyond. He took pride in doing the job right and stayed connected with many of his coworkers through retirement.

He married Connie Marie Rogers on September 11, 1965 in Breckenridge, TX, and together they raised two children, Kimberley Kay and Darrell Donn in Fort Worth. They made a tradition of summer trips to Chalk Creek, Colorado—campfires, cabins, and quiet mountain air. Colorado became a touchstone for the entire family.

In his final decade, Donn reconnected with his high school friend Rebecca, and the two shared a Friday lunch ritual that brought him a lot of happiness—and made his son laugh with every traffic update call.

He is survived by his son Darrell Caldwell and daughter-in-law Anna Caldwell (Castle Pines, CO); grandchildren Kayla Marie Swan (Olathe, KS), Megan Nicole Fletcher (Killeen, TX), Haley Madison Caldwell, and Ashton Gray Caldwell (both of Castle Pines, CO); great-grandchildren Mariah Dawn Fletcher and Damian Lane Fletcher (both of Killeen, TX); and his sister, Linda Sue Wallace (Fort Worth, TX).

A funeral service will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 2pm.