Mr. Gary T. Caldwell

From the union of Juanita Ferguson Caldwell and Charles Caldwell was born a great man. Gary Travis Caldwell was born on December 9, 1944 in Alcoa, Tennessee. He spent a lot of his time in school playing basketball and football. If you spent enough time with Gary you’d know that they used to call him “Railhead”. That was because he’d run you over in football, leading with one of his famous headbutts. Gary attended J.L. Cook High School where he loved playing football. He often told his grandson of trying to join the football team as a freshman. They talked about him being undersized and not having the best of shoes. He said that after the first practice the coach said that he would personally make sure to provide him with some cleats! After high school, Gary served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He had several distinguished honors such as holding the rank of E5 Sergeant, Army Infantry Blue Cord, The Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal for Heroic or Meritorious Achievement, US Army Infantry Crossed Rifles Military Pin, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Military Ribbon, National Defense Service Military Ribbon, Vietnam Service Military Ribbon, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Military Ribbon. Upon returning from the war Gary was wed to Beverly Ann Bradley. From their union they bore 2 beautiful daughters, Shannon Caldwell and Erica Caldwell. Gary was known by many names such as “Railhead”, “Big Wheel”, “Vice Grips” and “Uncle Gary”, but none more affectionate than simply “Daddy”. Gary had an illustrious career as a carpenter. He’s worked for years for Apac Construction along with Comanche Construction, Inc. building and repairing bridges. Gary was also a member of the Kansas City’s Woodworkers Guild. There he enjoyed displaying his creations like rocking horses, furniture and watches, which of course were all made from wood. In his free time Gary enjoyed watching sporting events such as the NFL and anything related to Tennessee Volunteers, but there was no greater event he enjoyed more than watching Pat and those “Lady Vols”. Gary headed to his heavenly home on Tuesday September 26, 2003. His life and legacy will continue to live on through his daughters Shannon Caldwell and Erica Caldwell; brother Terence Caldwell (Sally) and sister Donna Gail (Sam); granddaughter Diamond Bellamy (Jonathon); grandson Gary Charles Caldwell (Crystal); great-grandsons Travis Charles Caldwell, Trenton Ivory Caldwell and Treyson Ahmar Caldwell; great-granddaughter Eden Beverly Caldwell; friend Walter Hodge (Vanita) and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in death by wife Beverly Ann Caldwell; parents Juanita Ferguson Caldwell and Charles Caldwell; sisters Cynthia Janise Caldwell, Jean Ann Caldwell and Lela Karen Caldwell; brothers Jimmy Clayvon Caldwell and Charles Lewis Caldwell; granddaughter Cynthia Wells; and great grandson Ahmar James Anderson. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023, 11:00 am at Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Interment Mount Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:00am at the chapel. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website lawrenceajones.com

Mr. Gary T. Caldwell

December 9, 1944 - September 26, 2023