Obituary of Martin R. Caldwell

Dr. Martin R. Caldwell passed away on Friday, April 3, 2009 at Soddy-Daisy Health Care Center. He was a resident and physician in Soddy-Daisy from 1953 until his retirement in 2000. He was a longtime member of Soddy United Methodist Church. Dr. Caldwell was born in Nanjing, China in 1925 where his father was an educational missionary. Martin grew up in Dayton, Ohio and Little Rock, Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas and the Osteopathic College in De Moines, Iowa. He practiced medicine in Soddy-Daisy for 48 years. He was a dedicated, compassionate doctor who cared for several generations of area residents. He delivered over 500 babies and often made house calls to sick patients. For many years he gave free physicals to Soddy-Daisy Middle and High School student athletes and was attending physician at many athletic events. He was a member of the Tennessee Osteopathic Association and was President for two years. He also served as Chairman of the Tennessee Osteopathic Examiners in Nashville for a number of years. Dr. Caldwell loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hiking, fishing, canoeing, and snow skiing with friends and family. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him. His wife, Evelyn, survives him along with sons, Steve and John Caldwell of Huntsville, AL; daughter, Lynn Caldwell Jarrett of Gainesville, FL; brothers Ralph and Robert Caldwell of Seattle, WA; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at Soddy United Methodist Church , 255 Depot Street, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. Interment will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 6, 2009 in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM-8:00 PM Saturday at Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Soddy Methodist Church Well Fund providing drinking water for impoverished nations. Arrangements are by locally owned and operated Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road, Soddy-Daisy, TN. We invite you to share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.legacyfuneralhome.com. 24 hour obituary line 843-5055.