Mike Caldwell

Mike Caldwell, 69, of Lohn passed away on Thursday, September 18th at his home away from home in Abilene, Texas after a hard fought battle with cancer. Mike was born on December 19th, 1944 in Vernon, Texas to Kenneth Caldwell and Ruby (Caldwell) Good. Mike grew up in Iowa Park, Texas and after graduation he was college bound on a football scholarship. After leaving his football career behind, Mike was able to follow his dream of becoming a true cowboy in every aspect of the word. He spent much of his younger life learning the cowboy trade of riding, roping, and working cattle. In the 1970's he worked on some of the most famous and largest ranches in the great state of Texas. In 1986 Mike and his wife Charlotte settled at the Sample Cattle Co. in Lohn, Texas, where they spent 28 years of their lives and raised their two children, Michael and Melissa. Mike was a pillar of the Lohn Valley community and McCulloch County. He was a long time member of the Lohn ISD school board. Mike was a member of the NCHA, and RCHA and his accomplishments as a horseman were noted with numerous cutting horse awards, which included cutting horse championships, which he earned riding horses that he raised and trained with his own hands and talent. Mike enjoyed spending his extra time doing numerous hobbies, including painting, arrowhead napping and spur making. Mike had many friends that he made throughout his life time, between his school days, college years and the ranches he worked, and enjoyed keeping in touch with them all. Mike thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family, ranching and his horses as well as spending as much time as possible at his small ranch near Abilene. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his wife, kids, and grandkids enjoying the simplicity of his cowboy country life. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth Caldwell and Ruby Good. Survivors include; his wife, Charlotte Caldwell of Lohn, TX, ; one son, Michael Caldwell and wife April of Abilene; one daughter, Melissa Gallimore and husband Dustin of San Antonio, TX; one sister, Essie Johnson and husband Roy of Iowa Park, TX; and five grandchildren, Kimberley and Brooke Caldwell and Shylar, Kenly, & Brance Gallimore. Butch Vestal, a longtime friend, will be officiating the service. Honorary pallbearers include; James Whitaker, Ed Anderson, Dennis Mitchell, Grant Jones, Phil Johnson, Ken Johnson, Bear Waters, Eldon Ward and Don Sample. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to Lohn Valley Improvement Association or Lohn Volunteer Fire Department.

Mike Caldwell

December 19, 1944 - September 18, 2014