James Robert Caldwell

James Robert Caldwell, “Mr. Bob,” 94, closed his eyes, and his soul ascended to be with his Lord and Savior on May 31, 2022. He was a towering and industrious man who tackled his career pursuits with an enterprising personality. His family lavished his cantankerous behavior with loving care as his mobility and cognition diminished after a recent fall and bout with pneumonia.

Born in Tram, Kentucky, on November 26, 1927, he was the son of the late Frank Layne Caldwell and Edith Stanley Caldwell. Mr. Bob was proud of his Kentucky and West Virginia family roots. After graduating from Man High School of Man, West Virginia, he attended the University of Kentucky for two years. He was a brother of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and a member of the 100 Men UK Choir. In 1946, he enlisted in the United States Army as a member of the First Cavalry Division. After the nuclear bombing that ended WWII, he served in Japan with the rank of Surgical Tech sergeant, rendering aid to U. S. and Japanese soldiers as a medic. Once he completed his army mission, he moved back to Man, West Virginia, and returned to civilian life but continually honored his military service by patriotically and proudly sporting his First Cavalry cap around town and flying the U.S. American Flag at his residences. In 1952, he married his lifetime sweetheart, Nancy Lowe Brewster, and soon began a family with sons Stanley and Brewster. He joined his dad as a grocer working hard to perform daily store operations to serve local coal miner families. In 1959, they sold the Piggly Wiggly Supermarket and relocated to Clermont, Florida. He was an active member of Clermont United Methodist Church and an Assistant Scout Master to his sons’ Boy Scout Troop. His business career started as an insurance adjustor for the General Adjustment Bureau in Orlando, where he rose to general manager. In 1973, career pursuits with the State of Florida moved Bob and Nancy to Tallahassee. For the next ten years, Bob was the Chief of Bureau for the Fire and Casualty Insurance. Subsequently, he held the office of vice president and then president of Protective Indemnity Insurance Company. Mr. Bob’s last business venture was the purchase of Universal Adjusters in Thomasville, Georgia. His son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Beth, joined the family business to create a powerhouse operation in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.

He was an active member at Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church, where he joyfully sang in the choir, enthusiastically volunteered as one of the fish fry cooks, and assisted in leading the Boy Scout Troop. He was involved with various fundraising community projects throughout his adulthood as a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and Civitan. With an adventurous spirit, he and Nancy traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, valuing their time with relatives in France. As a sharpshooter, he eagerly planned quail hunting trips with family. He loved deep sea fishing and relaxing with family on the Gulf at Mexico Beach, Florida. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their North Carolina home in the Appalachian Mountains. His heart delighted in gathering and feeding the family, whether dining out or helping his bride cook a spread of southern cuisine. His greatest love was his family: a circle of strength founded on faith and rooted in God’s love.

He is survived by Nancy Lowe Brewster Caldwell, a most loyal and devoted wife for nearly 70 years. Other survivors include a sister, Virginia Clark of Bowling Green, KY, two sons and daughters-in-love, Stanley and Beth Caldwell of Thomasville, Georgia, Brewster and Katherine Caldwell of Tallahassee, Florida; five grandchildren: Miranda (Josh) Crawford, Haley (Justin) Drake, Hannah Kate, Sarah Layne, and Noah (Morgan) Caldwell; three great-grandchildren: Taylor, Evan, and Chloe Crawford; the families of a nephew and niece, Bobby Clark and Susan Rixie, and the families of Nancy’s siblings: Mary Ann, Howard David, Bill, and Becky. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edith Caldwell, a daughter, Susan Melissa Caldwell, a brother-in-law, Maurice Clark, and a grand-nephew, Jonathan Wesley Clark.

The service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church, with visitation to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tallahassee Heights United Methodist Church or Big Bend Hospice. Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home on Riggins Road Chapel (850-877-8191) is handling arrangements.