Mr. Frank Caldwell of Charlotte, North Carolina, died on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at his residence. Born on March 23, 1923 in Maiden, NC, he was the son of the late James Hoyle Caldwell and Edith Canipe Caldwell of Maiden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and one sister. Frank was a 1940 graduate of Maiden High School. Following graduation, Frank worked for one year at the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Factory in Baltimore building B-26 medium bombers before being inducted into the military. On January 18, 1943, Frank was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps. Frank was not the only veteran in his family. In addition to Frank, six of his brothers served during World War II at the same time. He served with the 15th Air Force, 485th Heavy Bombardment Group as a Combat Crew Flight Engineer during World War II. His B24 Bomber was shot down over Budapest, Hungary on its 44th Mission in 1944. Mr. Caldwell was captured and spent nearly eleven months as a Prisoner of War. He was liberated by a British Tank Unit on May 2, 1945 while being forced to march 700 miles across Northern Germany in sub-zero temperatures reaching -20 degrees. In recognition of his military service, he was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Air Medal with two bronze stars, Two European African Middle Eastern Service Bars, the Good Conduct Medal and the following Battle and Campaign Ribbons: Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley, Southern France, Northern France, Central Europe, Air Offensive Europe and Air Combat Balkans. Frank attended Lenoir Rhyne College in 1949, and transferred to North Carolina State College School of Design in 1950 to enter their five year Architectural Design Program. He graduated from North Carolina State College School of Design in 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. Frank was a successful architect, designing and building many churches including Friendship Baptist Church and other churches and synagogues. Frank was a builder of one of 100 most influential houses in America, as designated by the American Institute of Architecture. The house was located in Raleigh, North Carolina and is known as Catalano House. Before his retirement, he was a Registered Architect and a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. He was registered to practice in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. His character, integrity and honor enhanced the richness of his life and the lives of those around him. He loved and was loved by all who knew him.Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Virginia B. Caldwell, of the home; her sons Bruce F. Caldwell and wife Dean of Belmont, NC, R. Reid Caldwell of Morganton, NC, and Michael C. Caldwell of Key West, Florida. His grandchildren, Matthew F. Caldwell and wife Christy, Lacy C. Rudisill and husband Toby, great-grandchildren, Whisper, Wesley and Caden, also survive him. His brother, Dwight Caldwell also survives him.A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Sharon Memorial Park at 11:00 AM. A service celebrating the life of Frank will be held at St John's Baptist Church, located at 300 Hawthorne Lane in Charlotte will be observed on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1:00 PM and the family will receive friends immediately following the worship service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: American Ex-Prisoners of War Western North Carolina Chapter; 41 Rockledge Lane; Pisgah Forest, NC 28768.McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Caldwell and his family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.mcewenfs.com
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