Rev. David Ross Caldwell

David Ross Caldwell, 82 died on September 30. He was born June 21, 1929 in Batesville, Texas. During a very active 40-year life of ministry, David Caldwell was pastor of five Presbyterian churches: Mountain View, Missouri; Moberly, Missouri; Clay Center, Kansas; Duluth, Minnesota; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. David is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Emma Caldwell of Batesville, Texas. 2 brothers Grady Caldwell and Charles Caldwell and 3 sisters Vern Jones, Modelle Barsalou and Austin Stoecker. He is survived by his wife Rachel; three daughters Catherine (Art) LaPoint, Elizabeth Caldwell and Genie Caldwell (Jeff Howard) and by eight grandchildren David and Aaron Lapoint, Rachel, Natalie and Linus Mavers, and John, Matthew and Drew Howard and a sister Missy White and brother James Caldwell. David was a steadfast pastor during his career. He was deeply devoted to his congregations as a leader and teacher, and he helped many find peace in times of trouble. He was the first to lend a helping hand, either personally or professionally, to the downtrodden, the grief-stricken the disenfranchised and the forgotten. The members of his congregations, neighbors and friends will remember his as a pioneer and champion for such issues as the role of women in society, the sanctuary movement and poignantly the support needs of families impacted by aging parents and Alzheimer’s disease. None who ever blessed to experience it will ever forget his beautiful baritone voice or the joy he took in singing. David lived a joyful life. For all his education and professional stature to his three daughters he was just dad, and they loved him for his patience, generosity, ability to have fun, and the best pecan waffles ever. He enjoyed nature a beautiful sunset, the turning fall colors, the music of birds. He very much liked scaling small mountain peaks. He liked homemade peach ice cream, chocolate cookies, football and his family and friends and was a very proud Texan all his life. Services will be 2PM Tuesday at First Trinity Presbyterian Church with Dr. John Dudley and Dr. Lynn Miller officiating. Visitation will Monday from 5 to 8PM at Memory Chapel. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

Rev. David Ross Caldwell

June 21, 1929 - September 30, 2011