Obituary for Johnny Caldwell

Ponca City Now - March 28, 2018 3:12 pm

Johnny L Caldwell

September 1, 1940 – March 27, 2018

Johnny L. Caldwell, Jr., loving husband, son, Dad, brother, and Papa joined his two sons and other loved ones in Heaven on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018. Johnny was 77.

Johnny was born in Stillwater, OK, on Sept. 1, 1940, to John L. Caldwell, Sr. and Arelena Caldwell. Johnny graduated from Norwin High School in Irwin, Pennsylvania in 1958. He returned to Stillwater after graduation and met the love of his life Barbara Murray, and they were married on June 23, 1961, a month after she graduated from High school. They were married at the Stillwater First Church of the Nazarene. They celebrated 56 years of marriage last June. In Stillwater Johnny worked for Gold Spot Dairy, Dittmar Electric, Harrison Electric, and OTASCO. He was transferred with OTASCO to Altus, OK, and then Lawrence, Kansas before settling in Ponca City in 1974. In Ponca City he joined the IBEW Electrical Union and worked for Snyder Electric, Welborn Electric, and Shelley Electric. He then worked for Pioneer Technology Center and Smith Tool retiring in 2005. Johnny loved playing and coaching softball. He was an avid OU Sooners fan and had a huge Coca- Cola collection. He loved working in the yard, taking care of his huge fish pond, and making wood crafts for family and friends. Until recently Johnny would go to the library weekly and check out 15 to 20 books and have them all read by the next week. He loved watching women’s and little league softball. He enjoyed working word search puzzles and watching the History Channel and old westerns. He was a member of St Luke’s Nazarene Church.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of the home, daughters Jeanne and Neil Gory , Dianna and Travis Jones, daughter-in-law Shelli Caldwell, his brother Rocky and Lynn Caldwell all of Ponca City, and sister Linda and Bill Stokes of Freeport Pa.. He also had two former daughters-in-law Michelle and Steve Kuchera of Tonkawa and Christi Caldwell of Ponca City. He had 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his son, John Caldwell III, Chris Caldwell, his parents, John and Arelena Caldwell, sisters, Lois Obusek, and Lodene Wagner.

Casket bearers are his grandsons, Matthew Caldwell, Andrew Caldwell, Stephen Gory, Blake Gory, Michael Caldwell, and Dodger Monks. Honorary Casket bearers are his granddaughters, Kayla Ewing, Kelsey Kolber, Courtney Caldwell, Ali Caldwell, Brooklyn Monks and Sabrina Wiley!.

The Funeral will be held Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at St Luke’s Church of the Nazarene with Pastor David Frees officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Sat, Sun,and Monday. The family will be at 2135 Garden Street.