Rowe DeHay Caldwell

Rowe DeHay Caldwell, Jr. was born on December 6, 1932 and passed away November 18, 2018 He is preceded in death by his parents – Rowe & Myrtle Caldwell, his siblings Myrtle Fay Weaver, Patricia Roberts, Laura Zuella White, Henry (Denny) Caldwell & Jim Caldwell.

He is survived by his wife, Janelle Caldwell; his 4 children – Mike Caldwell & wife Joy of Bryan; Karen Caldwell of Huntsville, Catherine Lehman & Scott of Buda; and JoEllen (Jodi) Roman of Cedar Creek. He had 6 grandchildren – Pam, Matt, Lindsey, Leslie, Ben and Gianna. He also had 3 great-children – Jacob, Brodie & Kian. He is also survived by his only living sibling, Kay DeVilbiss. Rowe was also blessed to have 2 step-children – Ronnie Erickson & wife Carol of Austin and Wally Erickson & wife Sharon of Pflugerville; 2 grandchildren Amy Klaus & her husband Justin; Adam Erickson & his wife Kassie; and 3 great-grandchildren – Raven, Kyler and Briggs.

Rowe graduated from Austin High School in 1950. He then went on to graduate from Texas A & M University. He was a proud member of the A & M Cadet Corps and received his degree in Agricultural Economics in 1954.

Rowe married Shirley Jean Fincher, the mother of his children in June 1954. Soon afterwards, he joined the Army and was stationed in Monterrey, California where their first child, Mike was born. In 1958, they returned to Texas and settled in Garfield where 3 more children were born – Karen, Cathy & Jodi.

Over the course of his career life he worked for Mathis Dairy and was the general manager for Wayne Feed Store in East Austin with his long-time friend Gus Lechow. He then became the Vice President of Central Texas Production Credit Association for 13 years. He went on to become a real estate appraiser and he continued to ranch and farm. He felt most at home doing what he loved; ranching, farming, raising quarter horses and his beloved Charolais cattle.

On April 9, 2005, he married Janelle Norwood Erickson Caldwell. He and Janelle were kind of sweet on each other in high school and were reunited after many years. Rowe referred to Janelle as "his sweetheart." For all their time together, Janelle's undying love for Rowe was evident in her care for him especially in the last few years of his failing health. They spent much time together laughing and doing the things they loved. They hosted many family gatherings for holidays, birthdays and other special events. Rowe even trained her on how to feed and care for all the animals after he was unable to do so.

He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, but had a tender heart for animals as well. Many times he was called upon from neighbors and friends to help with an ailing cow or horse. He was a life-long member of Haynie Chapel Methodist Church. He loved his family, his faith in Jesus and his community of Garfield. He had a zest for life and a great sense of humor because he was always playing pranks on his brothers as well as other friends and family. He inspired his children to have a hard work ethic and faith for Jesus by his example and expectations. Church, family, farming and all things TAMU were at the center of everything that he did in life.

He believed in serving his community as well. Rowe was chairman of the Garfield Water Board and the Cemetery Association for many years, served on the Del Valle School Board of Trustees and was listed in Who's Who in the 1960s. He was also a member of the TAMU Century Club as well. Being an alumnus of Texas A & M University was a core part of who he was. If you were an Aggie, this instantly gave you some credence in his eyes.

The family would like to thank the following nurses who gave such excellent & compassionate care for our father during his stay at South Park Meadows Nursing Home. His nurses were: Jeanette Crozier, Jenny Osgood, Lucy Castro and Wesley Hairell.

Visitation will be Friday, November 23rd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home located at 2620 S. Congress Avenue from 6-8 pm. Services will be Saturday, November 24th at 10:00 am in Garfield at Haynie Chapel United Methodist Church with burial following at Haynie Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations can be made in his name to Haynie Chapel United Methodist Church.

Pallbearers will be his 2 grandsons, Matt Marden and Ben Roman; stepson, Ronny Erickson; nephew, Harley DeVilbiss; his great-nephew, Walker Rowe Weaver and friend/neighbor, Charlie Perkins.