Charles Caldwell Sr.

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 13, 2008

Nov. 3, 1922 – March 11, 2008
NATCHEZ – Services for Charles Wesley Caldwell Sr., 85, who died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Edwin M. Temple officiating.
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.
Mr. Caldwell was born Nov. 3, 1922, in Oxford, the son of James Audrey Caldwell and Sallie Denton Caldwell. He was a 1940 graduate of Oxford-University High School. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the University of Mississippi and attended there until his studies were interrupted by military service during World War II.
In 1942, Mr. Caldwell enlisted for military service and was assigned to active duty with the 106th Infantry Division of the United States Army. His military service took him throughout England, France, and Belgium to the front lines of the western front of the European Theatre. There, on Dec. 19, 1944, he was captured by German forces in the Battle of the Ardennes, also known as the Battle of the Bulge. From there he was transported to a prisoner of war camp in Muhlberg, Germany where he remained until the end of the war.
Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Caldwell completed his education at the University of Mississippi, earning his degree with a major in accounting. In 1947, he moved to Natchez, joining Silas M. Simmons and Company. Mr. Caldwell, a certified public accountant and one of the original partners of the firm, practiced there until his retirement in 1992.
He was awarded a 50 year honorary membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2001. He was also a member of the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants. In 2004, he was inducted into the University of Mississippi Accountancy Hall of Fame and in 2007, established an endowment through the University of Mississippi Foundation to provide scholarship opportunities for area accountancy students.
He was a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and the E.C. Ward Sunday School Class. He was a Legion of Honor Member of the Natchez Kiwanis Club, having been a member for over 50 years. He was also honored as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.
Mr. Caldwell was preceded in death by his wife, Marian Petkovsek Caldwell; his parents; one sister, Minnie Parsons; and three brothers, James, Joe, and Bill Caldwell.
Survivors include one son Charles W. Caldwell, Jr., and his wife, Julie, both of Natchez; one daughter, Kathy Caldwell Phillips and husband, Mac, both of Madison; one sister Elizabeth “Lib” Young of Oxford; and three grandchildren, Kristin Caldwell, Charles Caldwell, III and Taylor Phillips.
Pallbearers will be Benny Jeansonne, Sim Mosby, Tony Jeff, Charles Thomas, Charles Caldwell and Bruce Kuehnle, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Ward Class and Silas Simmons, LLP.
Memorials may be made to Jefferson Street United Methodist Church or to an organization of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.

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