of Joplin, MO

April 9, 2021

Mr. Thomas Aaron Caldwell, age 79, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away at home with his family after a recent illness on April 9, 2021. He was born to parents Cecil and Opal (Wallace) Caldwell on January 11, 1942 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
He is survived by one son, Ed Caldwell and granddaughter, Claire Caldwell, both of Sherwood, Arkansas; one daughter, Donna Caldwell-Chaffin of Joplin, MO and her partner, Scott Vest of Wyandotte, OK; granddaughter, Lauren Chaffin of Joplin, MO; and sister-in-law, Jessie Riveria of Mountain Home, AR.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jo Caldwell, and his parents.
Thomas retired after serving in the U.S. military for more than 30 years. His service began in the U.S. Air Force in the late 1950s and resumed with the Arkansas Army National Guard in the late 1960s. A Desert Storm veteran, he was the Master Sergeant of the 224th Maintenance Company's automotive maintenance platoon and a former First Sergeant for the 172nd Maintenance Company in Heber Springs. He received numerous awards and decorations including:
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Campaign Stars
Southwest Asia Kuwaiti Liberation Medal
He retired from the US Corps of Engineers as the Sr. Mechanic of the Bull Shoals Dam in 1996.
He was a member of the VFW and a Past Master in the Masonic Order.
He loved spending time with his family and was so proud of his two granddaughters. He cherished all the memories of traveling with his family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a Masonic service to follow at Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home, AR. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Caldwell Chapel Cemetery in Jonesboro, AR, and military honors will be rendered at this time. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to be made in his honor to the Caldwell Chapel Association, which is in care of David Cook P.O. Box 842 Jonesboro, AR 72403. Arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. For online condolences please visit our online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/mtnhome.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com