Jack Leo Caldwell

Jack Leo Caldwell, 49, passed away suddenly on January 29, 2026. Born on April 2, 1976

to Jack Desmond and Lorna May (Dahill) Caldwell, in Leominster, Massachusetts he spent

the first three years of his life in Coco Solo, Canal Zone, Panama. Though just a little over

three when he moved with his family to Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville , Alabama, in August

of 1979, he had memories of going to the piers in Coco Solo and watching the leopard rays

swimming under and around the docks.

At age 4 he attended preschool on the Arsenal where he began reading, and was an avid

reader all his life. From there moving on to Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1982, he and his

siblings, Daniel, Gary, and Elizabeth settled in, welcoming a new sister Rachel in 1983. In

1984 they started on a new phase of life which took them back to their mother Lorna's

home state of New Hampshire. Jack fell in love with the mountain area of Tuftonboro where

they lived, and, years later as a dad himself, returned there vacationing with his sons and

their Nana - his mom Lorna.

Life added another adventure as Jack and family left New Hampshire in 1985 to start anew

in San Andreas , California after Lorna married their step- father Jerry Bickerdyke. Living on

a small ranch raising goats, geese, chickens, rabbits, and the family pets,Jack developed a

love for the animals that stayed with him throughout his life. His gentleness and joy in them

was a pleasure to see.

Again another move this time to Lewiston, Idaho in 1993. Jack lived there with his family

until age 16 when he left to stay with his grandparents Jack and Alma(Hamblin) Caldwell in

Homosassa, Florida. Returning from there after getting his GED, he spent some time in

Lewiston before entering the United States Navy. Unable to adapt to life on the water, Jack

was discharged from the Navy after serving for over 3 years.

He married Donya Rene Krause on 14 June 1999, and that union brought to Jack the

greatest joys of his life, his reason for living, his sons Brody James Caldwell - 20 August

1999, and Holden Scott Caldwell - 28 January 2001. He loved camping and fishing with

his boys in Elk River and Skull Creek, way up yonder in the North Fork of the Clearwater.

He and his boys volunteered at the animal shelter as often as possible. He loved taking

them on adventurous trips to the Oregon coast and New Hampshire. Brody and Holden

were the focus of his time and energy. He taught his boys to think for themselves, make

good choices, and be kind to everyone. Jack didn't always know how to show his love,

However, it was obvious that his two boys are what made him wake up everyday and love

life. He was a very proud father and would brag about Brody and Holden to anyone that

would listen.

Jack worked as a janitor for the Lewiston school district for over 20 years. He used to share

that if the students got too rambunctious he'd give them the "evil eye" and they would quiet

down. Although seeming unapproachable, Jack was a teddy bear at heart. He grew to

respect and appreciate the camaraderie of his co-workers, as well as those employed with

Lewiston School District.

Jack's interest in Idaho's gem reputation began his hobby as an amateur rock hound. With

his mom's companionship they took many day trips and vacations, at first with the boys,

later by themselves after the boys graduated from high school. Jack often joked that he

found more "gems" in the school's parking lot than he did on his trips. Jack ran a rock

tumbler almost 24/7, and gave away many of his "gems" to family.

Jack's life was forever changed when his most favorite person came into this world. The

birth of his grandson Owen Scott Caldwell- September 30, 2023, child of Holden and

Devany (Lyons) Caldwell. Make no mistake he was the apple of his Papa Jack's eye. Jack's

face would beam any time he mentioned Owen or shared recent photos of him with others.

Jack has left us behind, to vacation alone this time, searching the heavens for celestial

gemstones, breaking our hearts at his leaving, but having gifted us with so many happy

memories, that the laughter from them will sustain us, and strengthen us as we struggle on

without him. Those who were a part of his close life these past years include his sons

Brody and Holden Caldwell (Lewiston), daughter-in-law Devany (Lyons) Caldwell, grandson

Owen Caldwell, mom, Lorna Dahill Bickerdyke (Boise),brothers Daniel Bickerdyke

(Pomeroy) and Gary Bickerdyke (Boise), sisters Elizabeth (Bickerdyke) (Matthew) Rauch

(Kuna), Rachel (Bickerdyke) Dugdale (Boise), his two "favorite" nieces Nevaeh and Moriah

Dugdale, multiple other nieces, nephews, friends, and acquaintances.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Lewis Clark Animal Shelter or an animal

center of your choosing. A celebration of his life will be held on what would have been his

50th birthday, April 2nd, at Pioneer Park in Lewiston, Idaho. Time to be determined at a later date.