On the ninetieth anniversary of his mother’s passing, Donald ‘Don’ W. Caldwell (92) passed away on March 22nd, 2024, peacefully in the loving care of his wife of 67 years, Pat, and their four adoring sons.
Donald ‘Don’ W. Caldwell
Don is preceded in death by his sisters Jean and Kathy and is survived by sons Mike (Marie), Kevin (Janet), Sean (Jill), and Brendan (Jodi); grandchildren Ryan (Candace), Courtney (Kaycee), Xander, Jesse, Dov (Almog), Lyana, Stella (Ayo), and Blaise; and great-grandchildren Lucy, Conner, Bennett, Phoenix, Lucas, AnaBlaire, and Beckett.
After growing up at the height of the Great Depression, Don had a nomadic childhood—only once attended the same school in two consecutive years and touched almost all the continental states before graduating from Falls Church High School. Consequently, Don valued stability in his family and home above all else. And nothing made Don happier than to have family reunited around the kitchen table, where sarcasm, stories, bantering, and love would be doled out in heaping portions.
Don found himself and his passion for computers/electronics through his service in the US Navy during the Korean War. Don would proudly declare that never once did the Koreans successfully invade the coastline of Rhode Island. While Don may have found himself in the Navy, he found his heart and soulmate at a short-hand writing course in a beautiful woman named Christine Patricia Edmands. They completed each other in every way from the day they met until his passing. Don and Pat’s 67-year union faced challenges through fierce loyalty, anchored in love, and myopically focused on their greatest achievement—their family. They both took great pride in providing a home where all their children’s friends were welcomed, comfortable, and considered THE 5th Caldwell child.
Don’s achievements outside of Family and the US Navy varied from a very long career in computer science to that industry’s inception. He enjoyed golf and the camaraderie it provided. He established the highest standard of work ethic for his children to emulate. His woodworking skills will leave a legacy for generations to cherish. He possessed home improvement prowess that Bob Villa would envy. He continued his personal education to the time of his passing and a mental and physical discipline that kept him sharper into his 90s than most enjoy in their 60s.
He continued to grow until the day his mother met him to guide him to the next plane in life. Sometimes a curmudgeon, sometimes the life of the party, but always a loving father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather who cherished his family, his craft, his home, and a damn good laugh.
A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on April 6, 2024, at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal. The family will receive friends starting at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Panorama Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please take a loved one out for dinner and a hearty laugh. Enjoy the time you have with the ones you love, for it is fleeting.
