Denzil Van CALDWELL

Mar 9, 1933
Sep 4, 2015

Denzil Van Caldwell was born March 9, 1933 at Sheridan, MO, the son of Maynard and Wilma (Wilson) Caldwell. He passed away September 4, 2015 at Willow Care Nursing Home of Willow Springs, MO with his family at his side and is now safely in the arms of Jesus. Visitation will be held at Trinity Baptist Church in Willow Springs Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held also at Trinity Baptist Church with Dr. David Cox officiating under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs.
Denzil attended school in the small northwest Missouri town of Sheridan where he graduated in 1951. He was drafted into the Army and served two years at the end of the Korean War. Later he worked on the railroad while pursuing his college education on the G.I. bill. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University with a BS in Education, he worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. out of Omaha, NE and was later transferred to Denver, CO. There he met his future wife, Lois Patton Caldwell. He then pursued and received his Masters degree in school administration from the University of Missouri at Columbia and then a Specialists degree from Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg, MO. After graduating he became a high school principal at Gallatin, MO, followed by several years as principal at Branson, MO. In 1979, he became the high school principal at Willow Springs, MO where he continued his career until his retirement in 1992. He also worked for two years as Superintendent at Koshkonong, MO.
Denzil was an outstanding athlete in high school, playing basketball, softball and track. In college, he competed on the NWMSU track team and held the conference record in the high jump for many years. He loved hunting quail and deer, fishing, reading his Bible, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, and traveling. By far, trout fishing was his favorite hobby. Above all, he loved his family, was a great husband, and father to son, Craig Martin, and daughter Julie Jo, and grandson, Lincoln Craig. He also loved special daughters, Annikki Chamberlain, Heidi Chamberlain Leahy, and Beka Chamberlain Kangas and his special grandchildren, Taylor, Ryann, and Mason Kangas. His students were always near and dear to his heart and he was affectionately known around school as “Big D”.
Denzil and Lois traveled every winter for fourteen years to the Coastal Bend of Texas where he fished in the Gulf and met many new friends. He followed his daughter to many marathon races in Chicago, IL, Springfield, MO, Hawaii, Austin, TX, New Hampshire, and Maine. Camping at Norfork Lake in Arkansas and traveling to the western states and Alaska also brought many years of fun and enjoyment.
Denzil was a born again Christian attending Trinity Baptist Church in Willow Springs. He was never shy about sharing his faith or praying with a student, family, or close friends. He will always be remembered for encouraging loved ones to always “keep praying”.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lois Patton Caldwell; daughter, Julie Jo of Springfield, MO; and grandson, Lincoln Craig Caldwell; brothers, Derril, of Maryville, MO, Richard and wife, Mary, of Sheridan, MO, and Douglas and wife, Paula, of Greenfield, IA; one sister, Donna Scheer of Wayward, WI. He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, and a son, Craig Martin.

Contributed on 9/15/16 by mjrwag
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Record #: 797703

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