D.R. Caldwell (86) of Altamont

D.R. Caldwell, 86, of Altamont, died at 6:39 p.m. Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Lutheran Care Center, Altamont.

He married Pat Robertson, daughter of Pete and Alma Robertson, on June 15, 1963. They were blessed with son, Daren (Kim) Grace and Samantha and son, Kyle (Deidre) Quinn and Addison. He also leaves brother Gehl (Marsha) of Enid OK. And sister-in-law Rea (Ron) Fleming of Houston, MO and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 sisters, Stella Moore, Lil Hommes and Mary Neal.

He was employed mostly in the oil fields of Texas and Louisiana and lastly with Carter, Humble and Exxon in the St. Elmo field. He also enjoyed part-time police work with the City of Effingham.

D.R. was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Altamont, Exxon Annuitants, Altamont Masonic Lodge #533, SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), NRA, Prairie Land Muzzle Loaders, 40 et 8, and Marine Corp League.

He enjoyed life to the fullest with many interests and hobbies. He loved hunting trips, trap shooting, camping, flea marketing, and leather working. He and the family traveled to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and fifty states. The boys treated dad to a trip to Ruidoso, NM to the Grand American Quarter Horse Race for his 75th birthday.

He was Scout Master of Troop 140 where Daren and Kyle became Eagle Scouts. The three of them attended National Jamborees in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia and the World Jamboree in Calgary, Canada.

He loved branding cattle and cooking for the crew at his friends’ ranch in Ring Ranch, South Dakota.

He built an authentic Chuck Wagon and took it and his horses on the one-hundred-mile drive in celebration of the Oklahoma Land Run.

He attended auctioneer school and enjoyed helping at auctions.

He taught Clownology at Lake Land College. D.R. as ODAAT (One day at a time), and son Kyle as (Freddy Freckles) enjoyed many hours of “clowning around”.

He was a proud Marine, not a past one, because “once a Marine, always a Marine”. He and life-long friend and fellow Marine, Ron Renfrow went on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with sons, Daren and Kyle as guardians.

He often shared his faith by telling people that God had gotten him through cancer and two car wrecks. He said, “when He is ready for me, I am ready to go”.

A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, Altamont with Gene Creek officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Mahon Cemetery, or Effingham County Humane Society.

Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.