Tom Gordon Caldwell

Thomas Gordon Caldwell died peacefully at his home in Ringgold, Georgia on March 24th, 2024.

Tom was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on July 21,1950, son to the late Gordon Lee Caldwell and Vio Pauline Delashmitt. After graduating from East Ridge High School, he served his country as a Chaplin’s Assistant in the United States Army. He attended Middle Tenneessee University where he met his wife of 50 years, Nancy Elaine Gist. He was a Chattanooga Fire Fighter for a few years, before going to work for the US Postal Service where he stayed until he retired.

Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters Elizabeth Elaine Renfro and Kathryn Marie Caldwell; sisters Rebecca DePriest and Martha Coyle; grandchildren Miranda Renfro, Eli Renfro, and Ethan Renfro; aunt Doris Price; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Thomas James “T. J.” Caldwell.

Tom will be remembered for his wit, jovial attitude, and consummate friendship. A man of good ideas, his hobbies varied widely over the years from chess to making biochar at home. And of course, the time he spent as an Organ Grinder (complete with pet monkey) never goes unmentioned. He once confided that his only true ambition in life was to have a family. In that regard, Tom Caldwell was the most successful man who ever lived.

The family will receive friends from 10am-2pm on Monday April 1st at Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway, with a Celebration of Life Memorial to be held there at 2pm.

In lieu of “blooming weeds,” please make donations to Wounded Warrior Project or your preferred charity.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.