Jarvis Caldwell, Jr.

Waynesville, J. R. Caldwell, age 87, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Maggie Valley Nursing Home & Rehabilitation. J. R. was born in the Cataloochee section of Haywood County to the late Jarvis Ruben and Bonnie Childers Caldwell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Kendrick, Jonathan and Herschell Caldwell and a brother-in-law, James William Bradshaw. He was a graduate of Crabtree Iron Duff High School. J. R. was a veteran of United States Navy serving during the Korean conflict, he served on the USS New Jersey as officer's barber. A highlight of J. R.'s military career was cutting hair for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Following his military career he returned to Haywood County and was a barber and sold cars on the side. J. R. then decided to go into the car business full time and formed Caldwell Motors and enjoyed a respected career in auto sales for over 43 years. J. R. cherished the time that he spent with his grandchildren and was also an avid NASCAR and Atlanta Braves fan. J. R. was an active member of Hazelwood Baptist Church since 1952, and was a deacon emeritus. J.R. is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Helen June Bradshaw Caldwell; one daughter, June Valentine, and her husband, Bill, of Sharpsburg, Georgia; one son, David Caldwell, and his wife, Julie, of Waynesville; one sister, Anne Ross, of Waynesville; three brothers, Raymond Caldwell, and Harley Caldwell, and his wife, Pat, of Waynesville, Joe Caldwell, and his wife, Doyle, of Fairview; four grandchildren, Bradley and Lauren Caldwell, Alex and Erin Valentine; one great-grandson, Tate Dibert; sisters-in-law, Mildred Caldwell, Sybil Crawford, and her husband, Don, brothers-in-law, Grover Bradshaw, and his wife, Catherine and Johnny Bradshaw, and his wife, Barbara. Funeral services for J. R. will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Hazelwood Baptist Church with Reverend Tim Lolley, Reverend Larry Reeves and Reverend Don Letzring officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park with full military honors. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the services at the church. Serving as pallbearers will be Terry, Dale, Jeff, Mike and Kevin Caldwell, Dean Ross, Jeff and Jody Bradshaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Marshall Caldwell, A. J. Plemmons and deacons of Hazelwood Baptist Church. Memorial may be made to Hazelwood Baptist Church, 265 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786 or The Cataloochee Fund, c/o Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 160 South Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

Previous Events