Raymond Caldwell

Raymond Caldwell, age 80 of Vernal, Utah passed away at his home on May 7, 2013. He was born May 25, 1932 in Vernal. His parents are Lamond and Eleanor Viola Caldwell. He married Jackie Golden Limary in Hawaii. Raymond had an interesting life. He always loved horses. His uncles, Karl and Lawerance Allen had race horses and Raymond was their jockey. This gave him the opportunity to travel to races in Eastern Utah and Western Colorado. He worked in the oilfield for a while. Then in 1952 he joined the U.S. Navy. He served on a mine sweeper, the USS Quapa, and was a deep-sea diver during the Korean War. His home base was Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. When he was assigned to Key West, Florida, he decided to get out of the Navy and went back to Hawaii. He had a talent for becoming a mechanic and went to work for Pepsi Cola Company. He became the manager of their fleet of trucks, which transported their soft drinks, and their line of frozen juices. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He especially liked deep sea fishing with his friends. One day when they were away from shore, a storm came up and he was tossed into the air and fell onto his back on the deck. This necessitated back surgery and left him with a limp. He and his wife Jackie, their little girl Sunshine Viola and her son R.C. Johnson moved back to Vernal and bought a home. R. C. had to go to the Care Center and Jackie was there with him almost every day. Raymond had a truck driving job, but had to give it up because of cataracts and Macular Degeneration. Raymond is survived by his wife; Jackie, daughter; Sunshine Viola, son-in-law; Chris Gardner, granddaughter; Kalani, brothers;Markel (Nadine), Donald (Bernice), Arlo (Wilma), sisters; Elva Searle, Monta Rae Showalter, and Christine (Jerry) Small wood, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and step-son R. C. Johnson. Services will be held Friday, May 10, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary and 1 hour prior to services on Friday. Per Raymonds wishes, he will be cremated and taken back to Hawaii. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 124 and 11 and the Utah Army National Guard. Serices were entrusted to the care of the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.