T.M. “Red” Caldwell, JR

T.M. “Red” Caldwell, JR, 89, died September 23, 2010, in Amarillo.

A memorial service was held on Monday, September 27, at Polk Street United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Lane Boyd and Rev. Marty Hamrick officiating. A private family burial was held at Llano Cemetery. Arrangements were by Schooler Funeral Home.
Mr. Caldwell was born on May 1, 1921, in Amarillo, Texas, to parents, Turner M. and Mary Greathouse Caldwell.

He was a graduate of Amarillo High School and attended Amarillo College.

T.M. Caldwell, Jr. joined the Navy in 1942. He graduated with his cadet wings from Corpus Christi Naval Air Station as Ensign in December, 1942. After further training in the Grumman “Avenger” TBF torpedo bomber, he was deployed from San Diego to the Pacific Theatre in April of 1944. He flew numerous missions from Henderson Field on Quadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

He then joined Torpedo Bomber Squadron VT – 23 aboard the USS Princeton, an Independence class aircraft carrier. He flew multiple missions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns, including the first strike on Truk. Red attained the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade and was awarded the Air Medal with two gold stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He returned stateside in April of 1944 and married the love of his life, Genevieve Britt, on May 4, 1944, on the Britt Ranch east of Wheeler. His final assignment was as instructor at Kingsville NAS where he was honorably discharged in 1945.

Red and Genevieve moved to Amarillo in 1946, where he entered the saddle making business. The family moved to Clarendon in 1949 where he continued in that business for several years.

Some of his meticulously made saddles are still in use. He later served as the local agent for Continental Oil Company before joining Chamberlain Motor Company in 1964.
He served as inventory control manager until his retirement in 1993. Red and Genevieve moved to Amarillo in 1997.

Red volunteered for many years at Harrington Cancer Center. After moving to Amarillo, he and Genevieve delivered Meals on Wheels until 2008.
Red was a motorcycle enthusiast for 30 years and then an avid skeet shooter until he became disabled. Red was very knowledgeable about many things and a real pleasure to visit with always.

Red and Genevieve were always very active members of the church and the community, providing time and support for numerous civic and charitable organizations.

They loved traveling and did so worldwide, seeing many interesting and beautiful places over the years of their marriage. They also loved spending time with members of their family.

Mr. Caldwell was preceded in death by his parents.

Red is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Genevieve; his daughter, Louise Caldwell Nahon and husband Michael C. of New York City; his son, Dr. Turner M. Caldwell III of Amarillo; and his grandchildren, Dorothy G. Caldwell and husband David E. Abeyta of Austin, and Margaret C. “Maggie” Caldwell and fiancé John M. Savage, Jr. of Austin.

Red was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and he will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and his community.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to one of the
following organizations or a charity of your choice: the American Cancer Society, 3915 Bell St., Amarillo, TX 79109; Meals On Wheels of Amarillo, 219 Southwest 7th Avenue, Amarillo, Texas 79101; or Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S Polk St., Amarillo, TX 79101-4227.