John H. Caldwell, known as Jack to many, was born to Harold E. Caldwell and Z. Mildred (Fisher) Caldwell in New London, Missouri, on January 25, 1934. He died peacefully on February 3, 2026, at the age of 92.
Jack served in the US Navy from 1956 to 1960. He attended college at Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, Missouri, where he met his soulmate of 65 years, Eleanor Mary Smithson. They married on a cold, snowy day in Atlanta, Missouri, on January 21, 1961.
Jack had numerous careers, including a Missouri Conservation Agent, a newspaper editor, a teacher, and a high school administrator. He never met a stranger, and he could always be remembered by his family as the one who not only had what you needed, but also knew where it was located!
He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He loved golf, fishing, bird hunting, deer hunting, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Kansas City Chiefs. His love for deer hunting became his focus, and he prided himself on bagging a buck with one shot for over 30 years. He will always be remembered for listening to everyone’s stories and his quirky sense of humor.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law; his brothers-in-law, Bob Schmidt of Saint Charles, Missouri, and Francis Duncan of St. Louis, Missouri; his sisters-in-law, Beverly Duncan of St. Louis, Missouri, and Elizabeth Beeson of Atlanta, Missouri.
He has survived by his wife, Eleanor of the home; his sister, Mary Ann Schmidt of DeBerry, FL; his daughter, Shari Cooley (Justin) of Summersville, MO; his son, John Caldwell (Sherri) of Mountain View, MO; his two grandchildren, Dylan Caldwell (Kaitlin) of Mountain View, MO, and Kelsey Owens (Wyatt) of Birch Tree, MO; his great-grandchildren, Ryett Caldwell, Ridge Caldwell, Reed Owens, and Walker Owens; one cousin, John Porter Fisher of Belflower, MO; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Jack always pursued his dreams. May he rest in Peace.
Graveside services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. The family requests that memorial donations be made in Jack’s honor to the Care to Learn Program for the Mountain View-Birch Tree R3 School District and may be left at Yarber Mortuary in Mountain View. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
