Bobby Caldwell

Robert Stewart "Bobby" Caldwell, Jr., age 80, died peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at his home in Columbus, MS.  He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Stewart Caldwell, Sr., and his mother, Grace Ingram Caldwell, his first wife, Mary Brown Caldwell, sister, Betsy Caldwell Dale, brothers-in-law, Ronald Peter Mathews and William Jerry Tidwell, and nephew, William David Tidwell.

Bobby graduated from S. D. Lee High School in 1959 and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in Industrial Management in 1963.  While at Georgia Tech, he was a scholarship football player and team Captain, a member of the Rambling Reck Club, "T" Club, Alpha Kappa Psi, Student Council, Judiciary committee and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.   A loyal Georgia Tech alumni, Bobby continued to support the university and its graduates in various ways after graduation.  He was a life member of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.

Upon graduation he was drafted by the Washington Redskins, but instead returned home to run his family's business.  He was an enlisted officer in the U. S. Army Reserves and served as an aide-de-camp to Major General Shields Sims of the Mississippi National Guard.  During his professional career, Bobby owned and operated Caldwell Properties and was Owner/President of Caldwell Furniture Company.  He was a member of the National Retail Furniture Association and director of the Mississippi Retail Furniture Association.

Bobby didn't leave the gridiron for long and served as a Southeastern Conference football official for more than 30 years.  Upon his retirement, he had officiated 13 major bowl games, two SEC Championships, 15 Senior Bowls and hundreds of regular season games.  His positions included Crew Chief of line judges and the Officials Committee.

A lifelong resident and supporter of his community, Bobby lent his time and talents to numerous civic and non-profit organizations.  He was a member of and served on the board of directors of the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce.  He served as a board member of the Frank Phillips Memorial YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, First Federal Bank for Savings, Cadence Bank, Downtown Columbus Unlimited, Heritage Academy, Kiwanis Club and Columbus Swim Association.  He was selected the 1999 Junior Auxiliary Pilgrimage King.  He was a Baptist Memorial Hospital volunteer, member of the New Hope Service Club, and trustee of East Mississippi Community College.  He was a sponsor Chairman for Ducks Unlimited where he was twice named Mississippi Outstanding Sponsor.  Bobby was a active member of First United Methodist Church of Columbus and member of the Ivy Bible Sunday School Class.  He was a successful businessman and devoted community volunteer, but his greatest accomplishment and source of pride was his family.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Toni Newsom Caldwell, his children, Robert Stewart Caldwell, III (Elizabeth), Mary Frances Griffin (Andrew Moak), Kathleen Hilbun (William Walker), and his grandchildren, Mary Beth Caldwell, Aubrey Grace Caldwell, Andrew Moak Griffin, Jr., Mary Hassell Griffin, Walker Caldwell Hilbun, Mary Brown Hilburn and Gladney Gray McCann, sisters, Dorothy Caldwell Tidwell, Carol Caldwell Smith (E. C.), brother-in-law, Thomas Douglas Dale (Clare), step sons, John Robert McCann (Laura Gray), Thomas Gladney McCann (Kimberley) and numerous nephews and nieces.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Billy Ray Adams, Jack Reed, Jim Wamble, Tom Whitaker, Georgia Tech Cherokee Rose Football Alumni, the Ivy Bible Sunday School Class, Peckerwoods Luncheon Group, River Hill Poker Club and SEC football officiating friends.

The family wishes to thank Bobby's faithful and loving caregivers, Johnnie Harris, Mary Ann Moore, Annie Newman, and the staff of Kindred Hospice.

A memorial service will be Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church of Columbus with Rev.'s Jimmy Criddle, Anne Russell Bradley, and Aislinn Kopp officiating.  A graveside committal of the cremains will immediately follow at Friendship Cemetery.  Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.