Curtis H. Caldwell

Curtis H. Caldwell

Ventura - On the morning of December 7th, 2020, we lost our loving father, Curtis Harvey Caldwell, far too soon. This loss has been felt deeply by the many people who knew and cared for him. He was always the one to spark up a conversation with a stranger and make a lifelong friend, so he leaves behind many grieving loved ones. His family will forever remember the generous way that he showed his love, his smile and his silly dad jokes. We are thankful to have had him in our lives for the time that we did.

Curt was born on December 29th, 1960 at the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. He lived with his family in Sun Valley, California until the early 70's when he and his mother moved to Oxnard, California where they resided on Silver Strand Beach. While living on Silver Strand Curt took up surfing and made loyal, lasting friends whom he admired greatly. In his youth he always found a way to practice his sport, when he couldn't surf waves, he surfed his sister's 45s instead. His children enjoyed seeing his old photographs and hearing of his surfing tales. In 1982 he met his first wife, Laura Darling, the mother of two of his children, Tonya and Cole.

Later in life, on March 30th, 1996, he married Nancy Kelly and they moved together with their children to Ventura, California where they lived for almost 25 years. As a family they spent much of their time camping, on boating trips, wakeboarding, on the California beaches and skiing in Big Bear. He was a great dad to all four of his children and is remembered fondly for his big heart and his love of nature, which he passed onto his kids and grandkids. He was a fun and caring grandfather, and we are so thankful that we were able to see him fill that role.

In Ventura, Curt took up the sport of kiteboarding, in which he excelled. In fact, he aided in growing the kite surfing culture in Ventura, Santa Barbara and on Silver Strand. His tribe of avid surfers continued to grow, and his friends will remember him for always being the guy that invited someone new to join the crew. He will forever live on in the hearts of his dear friends and will always be with them as they continue on in a sport that he loved and that defined so much of his character. The family would like to thank his friends at this time for the outpouring of love that they have received on his behalf. It has been tremendous to witness.

Curt is preceded in death by his parents Donna and Lowell Caldwell, his brother Lawrence Caldwell, and his in-laws Gloria and Edward Kelly. He leaves behind his wife of 24 years Nancy Caldwell and their fur child Pepper; his daughter Tonya Bush, her husband Billy, and their kids Camden, Hendrix and Emerson; his son Cole Caldwell and Cole's son Cayden; his son Justin Flack and Justin's fiancé Liz Gugin, and their son Ethan; his daughter Cassidy Rios, her husband Nick, and their son Cooper; his sister Salley Jensen, her husband David, their children Pattie, David, Mike and Natalie and their families; his brother's widow Frances Caldwell and their family; and his brother-in-law John Kelly, his wife Marianne Lannen, and their children, Danae and Samantha.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to afsp.org or surfrider.org be made in his name.

For information on service details, please reach out to his family.

Curt will be missed tremendously by all who knew him. He left a deep impression on many loved ones and he will live on in our memories of him always. He lived his life in a way that his legacy is one of kindness, forgiveness, love and inclusion. He would ask that those who loved him honor that legacy in the way that they continue to live. Until we meet again.