Harry Wayne Caldwell

Harry Wayne Caldwell went to his Heavenly home on January 25, 2021 at the age of 77 in St. Vincent, AR after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born on August 22, 1943 in Alexander, AR to LG “Bud” and Nollie Caldwell. Harry graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1961 and from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro in 1969 with a degree in Animal Science. From playing cowboy as a little boy to growing up to be a real cowboy, a life with animals was in his blood. Harry started rodeoing while still in high school and rode bareback horses, competed in steer wrestling, and rode bulls. He eventually went on to become a rodeo clown, creating some one-of-a-kind acts using many props including his personally-designed clown car. He also directed many rodeos. Harry met the love of his life, Rita, in April of 1963 and the two married in June the same year, a true love-at-first-sight story. In addition to rodeoing, he and Rita bought a large farm in 1971 where they raised chickens for many years. Their farm was also a working cattle farm where Harry’s cows eventually became his pets. Harry also made sure there were always horses to ride for everyone’s enjoyment. In addition to the farm, Harry worked in the animal health business as a sales representative. He was very successful because he earned the respect of his customers and always took care of their needs first. His customers were his friends, and many, if not all, considered him family. He won numerous awards throughout his career, and his employer and customers honored him regularly. Likewise, he frequently hosted enormous get-togethers for his customers and became an expert at smoking pork loins and whole hogs. Harry was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Morrilton where he served as a deacon, an adult Sunday school teacher, and in any capacity where he was needed. He helped organize fundraisers for the food pantry and smoked hundreds of pork loins on numerous occasions, staying up all night to do so. Harry also served his community in various capacities. He helped found the soccer program in Conway County and served on the board of the Morrilton Youth Association, where he volunteered for many years. He helped coach his daughter’s softball team and went beyond the role of coach. His and Rita’s home was open to anyone, and they provided a place for many. He was always the first to volunteer for anything that needed done in the community. His smoking skills became quite popular, and he volunteered his time cooking for many community events and fundraisers. Harry was a member of the Farm Bureau for many years where he was on the board and served as president. Harry Caldwell can be defined as a man of integrity who loved God and loved his family. He epitomized a servant’s heart and willingly served in any capacity he could with love, generosity, and kindness. He gave without question and was rock solid support for anyone who needed it. Countless people looked to him for advice because they knew he would always choose to do the right thing. He never took the easy road; he took the right road. Harry loved unconditionally and always gave people the benefit of the doubt. He was a good, good man. These words of Jesus are recorded in the book of Matthew: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Harry lived his life humbly serving the least of these. Harry is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Rita (Johnson) Caldwell; daughters Tonja Jones of Little Rock and Traci Caldwell of Conway; grandsons Kenneth Jones and wife Carmen of Mountain Home and Luke Caldwell of Conway; granddaughter Olivia Caldwell of Conway, two great-grandsons Anthony and Nathan Jones of Mountain Home, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends who will cherish his memory. He is preceded in death by his parents LG “Bud” and Nollie Caldwell, brother Lonnie Gaither Caldwell, and sister Linda Lane. Graveside service will be Friday, January 29 at 2:00pm at Volman Cemetery in Bigelow, Arkansas. Due to Covid-19 concerns and Rita’s recent bout with lung cancer, the family will not have a traditional time of visitation. Instead, there will be a viewing from 6:00-8:00pm on Thursday evening at Harris Funeral Home. Paper will be provided for people wanting to leave a message for the family, and a video camera will be set up for people wishing to leave a video message. Everyone is encouraged to leave a favorite memory of Harry for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church “Retire-the-Debt Fund” or Volman Cemetery Fund at 328 Judy Street, Bigelow, AR 72016. Pallbearers are Henry Caldwell, Stanley Caldwell, Ben Caruth, Don Guess, Hunter Henley, and Brett Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Junior Caldwell, Kenneth Caldwell, Curtis Davis, Kevin Gewin, Nathan Jordan, Todd Thorpe, Mike Turnage, and Mark Turpin.

Harry Wayne Caldwell

August 22, 1943 - January 25, 2021