Charles James Caldwell

1946 - 2009

Charles James Caldwell, “Jim,” went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 29, 2009, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Jim was born on June 6, 1946, in San Luis Obispo. He was the eldest son of Charles Herbert and Eloyce Caldwell. He spent his early childhood in Avila Beach and moved to Ventura in 1958. Jim attended Poinsettia Elementary, Anacapa Junior High, Buena High School (Class of 1964), and Ventura College.

Jim was proud to have served in the Navy from 1966 to 1970 and was a Shellback. He did two tours in Vietnam aboard the USS Intrepid and the USS Coral Sea. After serving in the Navy, he began his 36-year career with the United States Postal Service in Oxnard, Calif.

Jim was married to Judy Rouse for 36 years. They made their home in Ventura, where they raised three beautiful children, Amy, Michael and Megan. Jim was a proud father and in December 2008, he became a very proud grandpa for the first time.

He was a follower of Jesus and an active member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church for over 21 years. Jim enjoyed playing softball, shooting guns, fixing cars, riding motorcycles, helping neighbors, and going to breakfast with his friends. He was self-proclaimed mechanic, welder, coffee drinker, hunter, and builder.

Jim was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme, terminal brain cancer, in July 2005. Shortly after, Jim was able to retire and focus on fighting the cancer. He completed over two years of radiation and chemotherapy and spent his newfound free time traveling, visiting friends and working on his projects. In September 2008 an MRI revealed that the cancer had returned. Jim decided to have a second surgery at UCLA Medical Center in December 2008. During recovery from this surgery, Jim suffered a stroke, which resulted in him being paralyzed. Over the next month, Jim’s health quickly deteriorated.

Over the three and a half years Jim was terminally ill, he was able to say good-bye to all of his friends and family. He was thankful to God for the time he had here on earth.

Jim is survived by his wife, Judy Caldwell; parents, Charles and Eloyce (McGee) Caldwell, of Ventura; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Paul Tromans of Ventura; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jennifer Caldwell of Ventura; daughter, Megan Caldwell of San Luis Obispo; granddaughter, Ada Tromans; brother, sister-in-law and niece, Michael, Joanne and Kerry Caldwell of Ojai. Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph David Caldwell.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2009, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church 8180 Telephone Road Ventura, CA 93004. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Lifewater International, P.O. Box 3131 San Luis Obispo, CA 93403. Please note “Caldwell Memorial.”

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Charles Carroll Funeral Home. 805-642-8134.