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.
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