May 1, 1943-Oct. 14, 2004

HERMISTON – A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Columbia River Air Hangar at the Hermiston Airport in Hermiston.

Mr. Caldwell, 61, died Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 in Hermiston as the result of an aircraft accident.

Mr. Caldwell was born May 1, 1943 in Pendleton to Myrnie “Tiny” and Alice Ruber Caldwell. He was raised and attended schools in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston High School in 1963. He then attended college in Moses Lake, Wash. before moving to Portland in 1967.

While in Portland, Mr. Caldwell started Caldwell High Performance Speed Boats. He moved the business to Hermiston in 1968 and continued with it until 1979. He married Michele Marie Sweitzer and to this union a son, Steven E. Caldwell, was born. He married Jeanie Nicols and to this union a daughter, Michelle Caldwell, was born. He then started Caldwell Satellite TV & Video which he owned and operated until the early 1990s.

Mr. Caldwell began a lifelong dream in 1995, starting Compex Inc., and building a Glass Air Performance Aircraft. He completed his aircraft in 2000 and enjoyed traveling to air shows, where he put on aerobatics shows as well as displaying his pride and joy. He especially enjoyed traveling to Oshkosh, Wisc. where he won the 2004 Lindey Grand Champion Trophy.

Mr. Caldwell loved to garden, fly, his dogs, bicycling, snow and water skiing. He had a big heart and enjoyed helping others. He was a loving father, friend and husband. He was a fiberglass engineer, who could make or fix anything made of fiberglass.

Survivors include his son, Steven E. Caldwell of Milwaukie; daughter, Michelle Rocheld of Tigard; stepson, Craig S. Caldwell; sister, Myrna Pugsley of Portland; six aunts, one uncle, two nephews, three great-nephews, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.