Joan Burton Caldwell

1943 - 2024

Joan Burton Caldwell
07/01/1943 - 01/15/2024
Well, someone in heaven just had to hand over the microphone.

Joan Burton Caldwell transitioned to heaven in the morning hours January 15, 2024. She died as she had lived, in a house full of people who loved her and whose lives she had enriched beyond measure.

If you spoke with her over the past 18 months, you'd be forgiven if you didn't know quite how sick she was. Her doctors, experts in pancreatic cancer, called her a ""miracle patient"" - not because she was going to beat the disease, but because of how her zestful outlook on life slowed its progression to a crawl and allowed her some remaining adventures and quality time with friends and family. Never conquered, Joan did not succumb to cancer, she just decided it was time to go sing somewhere else. Throughout her arduous battle with pancreatic cancer, she maintained her courageous spirit and signature unwavering sense of humor, and was comforted fully in the knowledge that she would be blissfully reunited with loved ones who had preceded her in death, including her beloved husband, former Chief of Police Harry Caldwell and her stepson Dwane, her parents, Mary and Floyd Burton, her siblings, Floyd ""Butch"" Burton, and Ellen Sabrsula, and her brother-in-law, Steve Johnson.

Joan was born and raised in Humble, Texas, the third of five children born to Mary Burton, a school teacher, and Dr. Floyd Burton, the Superintendent of Humble ISD. From an early age, Joan became known for her exuberance, intelligence, strong work ethic, and ""larger than life"" personality, which she channeled into her academic achievements and various extracurricular activities such as music, baton twirling, Drum Major, and leadership positions over the student body. She had a grit, resourcefulness, and creativity born of necessity, and always valued hard work and ingenuity as the facilitators of fun. Along with her siblings, Joan's upbringing was set to the backdrop of what some might describe as ""early Texas,"" full of freedom, fun, and perhaps a bit of wholesome mischief.

Joan worked her way through college and graduated with an English degree from the University of Texas at Austin. During college, she taught herself to play the guitar and performed at Threadgills and other venues and warmed up the stage with folks who would go on to become Texas music legends, including Willie Nelson. She loved to sing and lived a life full of song. She enjoyed music of all kinds, especially gospel and folk songs.

Joan deployed her many creative talents in her early career. She was an avid photographer and sold her work to several notable publications. She lived in Mexico for a stint as a fashion model. She was a speechwriter for prominent Texas politicians and public figures.

Joan was also an accomplished clothing designer, having learned to make her own clothes as early as age 13, and she was poised to launch a career in New York City under some of the most prestigious fashion leaders in the industry. Ultimately, her commitment to family brought her back to Houston where she pursued a fulfilling career as a high school English teacher for over 20 years and wrote the English teaching curriculum for Spring Branch ISD.

With ease, Joan's creative brilliance transcended to the world of business as she maintained a keen focus on her family. She saw in business and entrepreneurship a mechanism to support her mother and three children while balancing the demands of day-to-day parenthood.

The opportunities that surfaced throughout her life were a result of not only her talent but her grit. When her children were young, she was continuously gathering her children, dear neighbors, and nieces and nephews for fun adventures, frequently taking them on trips to the Hill Country, various state parks, and Galveston Bay. Ever the lover of Texas, one summer, Joan and her brood even produced an old western movie at the family ranch and was later followed by a ""Cactus Jack Adventures on the Frio River"" series at Garner State Park. Unsurprisingly, she was frequently referred to as the favorite aunt, who injected fun and pizzazz into every activity.

An avid reader and one with a lifelong commitment to education, Joan also served as head of the Houston Public Library Board. Her commitment to the Library Board was one especially close to her heart, as she viewed the public library as the ""hearth of democracy"" and a great empowerer of the community.

Joan loved to entertain, and she hosted epic and memorable parties, fundraisers, and gatherings at her home. If one were to name a theme common to events hosted by Joan, it would likely be ""Discover Your Belly Laugh.""
Joan would later serve as President of the Desperados, one of the most decorated wagons on the Saltgrass Trail. Through her involvement with the Desperados, she was introduced to Harry Caldwell, former Chief of the Houston Police Department. Joan and Harry were married for more than 30 years, and were partners in every way. She and Harry grew a very successful international security consulting business, Harry Caldwell & Associates.

Throughout her life, Joan's family was her North Star and foremost priority. Joan is survived by her three children, Garland Crighton Pinson, Catherine Colby Pinson, Elizabeth Pinson Vardaman and husband Stuart, and her former husband, Ted Pinson; as well as her siblings, Sally Johnson, Garland Burton and wife Carolyn, and sister-in-law Vyvian Burton. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Kendall Pinson and Wrenne, Knox, and Macaslin Joan Vardaman, who enriched her later years with boundless joy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews with whom she shared close relationships and meaningful experiences.

A public memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 5, 2024 at Unity of Houston in the Pyramid - 2929 Unity Dr.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage her loved ones to please make a charitable donation to the Pancreatic Research Programs, Baylor College of Medicine: give.bcm.edu/joancaldwell