Dr. Jack Caldwell

Dr. Jack R. Caldwell, 86, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at his home at Good Samaritan Village in Las Cruces, N.M.

He was born Jan. 7, 1923, at Fruitland, son of Ben Ruff and Oma Caldwell.

Caldwell was a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II, flying B-24 and B-29 bombers. Following the war he attended Southeast Missouri State University and the Illinois College of Optometry.

He married Margaret Nast in Denver. The couple moved to Fort Morgan, Colo., where he was an optometrist from 1953 until he retired in 1986.

Jack and Margaret then moved to Columbia, Mo., and made their last move to Las Cruces in 1998.

Jack is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, David Caldwell, Susan McCracken, Christine Keiper; and six grandchildren.

Caldwell was preceded in death by an older brother, Ben Robert Caldwell.

Memorial service was held Saturday at Good Samaritan Village. There will be an interment of his ashes at Fort Logan Military Cemetery in Denver at an undetermined later date.

Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces was in charge of arrangements.

For a full obituary, please go to www.getzfuneralhome.com.