Howard Caldwell

Howard Dwight Caldwell, age 103, passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2018.

He was born February 24, 1915 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to missionary parents, Irwin and Lena Caldwell. He graduated from York College, Nebraska and joined the Marine Air Corps. Howard then was a commercial airline pilot for 34 years until his retirement in 1975, flying first for Pan American Grace Airways (Panagra) and later Braniff Airways.

In the early years of flying for Panagra he and his wife, Gladys, lived in South America and then moved to Miami in 1948. They later moved to Ocala in 1975 after he retired. Howard was a charter member of Grace Presbyterian church in Ocala, FL and a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels in Marion County until he was 96. He also enjoyed continuing to fly his private plane, playing tennis, and riding his bicycle.

Gladys, his wife of 72 years, predeceased him in 2013. Howard is survived by his children, Barbara Fletcher of Asheville, NC; Richard Caldwell and wife Susan of West Union, SC; and Pat Caldwell of Ocala, FL; as well as grandchildren Catherine, Sarah, Karen, Christopher, Riley, and James; and twelve great-grandchildren.

A memorial Service will be held on June 12th at 11 AM at Grace Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Marion Senior Services (designated for Meals-On-Wheels) or Grace Presbyterian Church.