James Russell Caldwell
April 22, 1943 – July 9, 2015
James (Jim) Russell Caldwell, 72, Brandon, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls after a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis with his family surrounding him.
Family Visitation will be 5-7pm, Sunday, July 12, 2015, at Celebration United Methodist Church, 500 Pasque Flower Tr., Brandon. Funeral Services will be 11am, Monday, July 13, also at Celebration UMC with Full Military Rites.
James (Jim) Russell Caldwell, son of Patrick and Audrey (McCloud) Caldwell, was born April 22, 1943 in Mt. Lake, MN. Jim attended and graduated from Windom High School in 1961. While in his Senior year, Jim went to auctioneer school and enjoyed auctioning for church desert fundraisers and the Southeast South Dakota Horse Show Association. Jim entered the US Navy in 1962 and was released in June 1966. On October 1, 1966, he married Luinea Busch in Windom. The couple farmed for a period of time before he found his interest in computers. Jim attended a tech school and became a System’s Analyst for Citibank in Sioux Falls. Jim retired after 19 years of service.
Jim was named to the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1979. He served as a US JC Senator and Ambassador. While living a short while in Oklahoma, Jim worked with and led a group of Scouts. Jim enjoyed being an announcer for many horse shows, Spirit of the West, and Brandon Valley Vintage Power events. Fishing trips and “Plinkers” were also favorite pastimes. With the help of his sons, Shane and Darin, Jim restored to International Harvester tractors. He also was involved in the Vets to Vets program of America. Jim, most of all, enjoyed spending time with his family and especially, his grandchildren. (Bring on the popcorn)
Jim was actively involved in his church at Celebration United Methodist, Brandon. As a Founding Member, Jim moved most of the dirt to begin the building process. He later became known at the Sidewalk Superintendent and then served as a Church Trustee.
Jim will be deeply missed by his wife of 48 years, Luinea; three children, Shane Caldwell, Brandon, Darin (Kelly) Caldwell, Gillette, WY and Regina (fiancé Wade Hiller) Geringer, Brandon; seven grandchildren, Cody and RaeLee Caldwell, Gillette, WY, McKenna, Maesa and Montana Geringer, Brandon, and Zane and Alexis Hiller, Luverne, MN; three siblings, Bruce (Bonnie) Caldwell, Windom, MN, Jean (Bob) Becker, Kosota, MN and Barb Pieper, Mankato, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was greeted at Heaven’s gates by his parents, Pat and Audrey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that new toy tractors be donated to the Marine Corp.’s Toys for Tots in Jim’s memory. Tractors may be brought to the church or Heartland Funeral Home.
What a great loss of such a good friend. We will miss him greatly.
Dear Luinea and family, Jim was such a good man. We are thankful to have known him. We pray that you will find peace in the love of your friends in the days to come. Love, Anne & Dave.
Jim and I grew up together in Windom and our parents were great friends and they often traveled places together. We moved from Windom after our 9th grade and I lost contact with most of my Windom classmates. My dad lives in Windom again now in assisted living. My sympathy to the family.
Sorry for your loss Luinea have thought about all the old Lake Crystal day quite often.
Will keep you all in my prayers.
so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. He will be dearly missed by all at the SE horse shows and banquets!
Shane, My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I was blessed to get to know Jim’s fun loving
attitude while working with Shane. He almost
always had a smile on his face and would make my
day brighter when stopped in. Treasure those
fun loving days and your great memories of Jim.
Linda Koens
Prayers for you and your family, Luinea. We will miss our dear friend, our card games, his wonderful popcorn and our New Year’s Eve outings!
Bob & Marilyn
Luinea, Shane, Darin, and Regina. Barb and I are sorry for your loss. Jim was a good friend always ready to help me out in all the different things we got into. From the early days of Handi riders, horse shows, Spirit of the West, and helping me with the
Freedom Bird Salute to the troops. His commitment to fellow veterans was admirable.
I will miss him very much. And when we bring the Vietnam Wall in next month I know that he will with us in spirit.
Mick
I am so saddened to read this. My heart breaks for you Luinea.
Sorry to hear about the loss of my friend, Jim. I got to know him so well when he taught me to run the audio visual machines in high school. He will be missed by all his family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear if Jim’s passing. He was a wonderful man. I know he will be greatly missed.
My sympathy is extended to Jim’s family and friends. I had the honor of working with Jim through pulmonary rehab. He had such a zest for life and dearly loved his work and family. He faced his breathing problems with dignity and a great drive to get better. The memory of his love for life will continue to motivate me.
Prayers to Luinea and all of your family! I was one of Jim’s nurses at the VA. I was blessed to be part of his life.
I am so very sorry for your family’s loss. My prayers to you all.
Luinea and family, thinking of you and your family with deepest sympathy. Cherish your precious memories. Yes, he heals the broken hearted, Psalm 147: 3.
Luinea, Shane, Darin, Regina, I am sorry to hear about your husband/dad Jim. He was a great man. I remember when I first met him at a horse show with Janie. Then learned that you kids were some that I would have to compete with. Then we again crossed paths at Citibank and again with his stitching business. Hugs to all of you and your families. You have a great guardian angel watching over all of you.