Don Monroe Caldwell

Don Monroe Caldwell, 91, of Georgetown, Texas, former owner and operator of Don’s Paint & Body Shop in Austin, Texas, died Monday, December 29, 2025, at his home in Georgetown, Texas after a long and productive life. He died of complications related to chronic conditions. Don was born September 2,1934 in Healdton, Oklahoma to Nathan Caldwell and Loutilla Caldwell nee Price. He grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City. During high school he met Martha Ann Oliver (Marcy) at the Rocket skating rink . They became skating partners as well as eventually becoming life partners. They wed at the start of their Senior year on September 7, 1952.

Don spent his entire career in the collision repair industry, starting as a prepper/painter at Scott Chevrolet in Oklahoma City. Subsequently working in the automotive paint supply business and culminating in opening his own body shop, Don’s Paint & Body, in 1972 in Austin, Texas. Don’s thrived as one of the premier collision repair companies in the greater Austin area, largely because of Don bringing innovation to his business. He was the first to introduce Laser Measuring equipment in Austin and was a stickler for following the recommended repair guidelines of the auto manufacturers. He proudly served on the boards of the Independent Garagemen’s Association of Texas (IGA), the Independent Auto Service Association (IASA), the IASA Credit Union, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), and was the Chairman of the Board for the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) upon it’s founding in 1982. He was a tireless advocate on behalf of consumers and their right to getting quality and safe repairs on their collision damaged vehicles. He was recognized with honorary membership in the Society of Automotive Engineers, for the work he performed during his time on the I-CAR board, where he helped to shape the refinish process to accommodate the recommendations of the various manufacturers. Don retired from his business in 1983 to spend more time traveling with Marcy, leaving his sons to run the business in his absence. Don’s Paint & Body Shop continued to be recognized for it’s quality of repair and customer service until it was sold by the entire family in 2021.

After their retirement Don and Marcy traveled a large part of the U.S. in their RV, often in pursuit of their shared hobby of Square Dancing. For the next 37 years they spent most of their winters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where they attended as many as 7 square dances weekly and their summers in the mountains of Colorado to attend square dance sessions. They would often take some of their grandchildren with them to the mountains.

Don was an avid golf enthusiast and played regularly from the mid 1960s until at age 87; he was no longer comfortable playing due to his nagging back pain. During his retirement he also took up stained glass as a hobby, and many friends and family members have pieces of the work he crafted.

He was preceded in death by his parents and all 7 of his siblings, Arthur Caldwell, Rene Clarkson, Belva Clark, Dorothy McClain, Margaret Parnell, Vide Price, and Jack Caldwell. He is survived by his wife of 73 years Marcy, their children Rick Caldwell and spouse Chris Larson, Ken Caldwell and spouse Mary Caldwell, Brad Caldwell and spouse Paula Ferguson, as well as grandchildren Alyson DeMaio and spouse Paul, Don Caldwell and spouse Michelle, Meredith Greenleigh and spouse Ian, Michael Caldwell, Cameron Caldwell, Andrew Caldwell and spouse Jody Cross, and Randy Ferguson. Great- grandchildren, Madison, Jack, Maryn, Ava, Mia, Noah, Pearl, Hank, and Nell, and Great great-grandchildren Dove, Lucas, Asher and Stetson.

A graveside service celebrating Don’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Cook Walden Capital Parks. Entrance to cemetery is located at 14809 FM1825, Pflugerville, TX 78660.

The Caldwell family has asked that casual attire be worn. In lieu of flowers please make donation to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, the TSFSRD Teen Scholarship fund or any other charity of your own choosing.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/14809+FM1825,+Pflugerville,+TX+78660/@30.4382794,97.6707933,764m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644cef65525cf4d:0x17c6f5593ed7194f!8m2!3d30.4382748!4d97.6682184authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D

After the service, the family will gather at Mulligan’s Restaurant and Bar in Sun City. All are welcome to join them there.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bRSMcqpFZhxyWrV47