Thomas A. Caldwell, age 66, died suddenly at his home in Oak Harbor Aug. 11, 2014. He was born Nov. 18, 1947, in Kahoka, Mo., to Vernon and Jeanne Caldwell. Following graduation from high school, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1965. He left the service in 1969 as an ETN3. He worked for a time as a hydrographic geologist with an oil exploration and natural gas team in Angola, Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Tom had a passion for music and was a drummer with several bands during the 1970s. He was a self-proclaimed news junkie, enjoyed social commentary with political figures, was very religious with his own beliefs and had a broad base of information concerning his religion. He also had excellent math skills.
He had traveled the world and considered Amsterdam his favorite city. He taught at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a time.
Cristina Reyes was working for the Department of Social Services in Cebu, Philippines. She met Tom, who was assisting indigent families with access to medication and school tuition. Tom and Christina were married in Cebu. They have been residents of Oak Harbor for the past 11 years. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and also the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Power City Post 3508 of Keokuk, Iowa.
Tom is survived by his wife Cristina and son Patrick of Oak Harbor; his daughter, Lyla, from his first marriage; one brother, Michael Caldwell of Prescott, Ariz.; and three sisters, Rosemary Romick of Iron Mountain, Mich., Sheryl Heater of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Sheilah Jordan of Burlington, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Mass for Tom Caldwell will be celebrated Sept. 20, 2014, at St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. Scott Jones as Celebrant. Interment prayers will follow at Keokuk Cemetery with military honors. Friends and family are encouraged to visit Thomas’ page in the Book of Memories hosted at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor, WA.
