Mr. James Patterson Caldwell

November 5, 1939 - August 17, 2019

James Patterson Caldwell, age 79, born in Graysville, Alabama, raised in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Bagdad, Iraq, passed away in his home in Orange Beach, on Saturday, August 17, 2019. Son of the late James Francis and Ivel Patterson Caldwell, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sarah DeJarnette Caldwell; his daughters, Lavanda Caldwell Wagenheim (Herbert Riggs), Jeannette Caldwell Thompson (Nathan); four grandchildren, Caldwell and Sarah Virginia Wagenheim, Hannah and Caleb Thompson; his sisters, Josephine “Jo” Frances Findlay (Charles), Vera Elizabeth “Beth” Caldwell Moore (Terry); his brother, Henry Scott “Diz” Caldwell (Trish) other beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends all over the world. Graduate of Phillips High School in Birmingham, AL (1957) and University of Alabama (BS Mathematics, 1961), Jim served 6 years as Captain Aviation Ordnance Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, with an assignment in Da Nang, Vietnam from 1965-66. He then obtained an MBA in International Business (University of Alabama, 1966), and moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoyed a long, successful career as Vice President of International Marketing at the McDonnell-Douglas/Boeing Aircraft Company, where he secured many F-15 and F-18 fighter jet sales to Kuwait, Switzerland, Korea, Spain, Italy, Australia, Israel, Canada, Spain, and Saudi Arabia. Upon retiring from Boeing in 1999, Jim consulted for Boeing for four years with the Czech Republic before proceeding into beach property development on Alabama’s gulf coast. Jim was active in numerous professional and civic organizations, including: Member Board of Advisors, Boeing Institute for International Business, St. Louis University; Member Board of Directors, Responsible Development, So. Baldwin County, AL, 2001; Member Board of Advisors, John F. Ramsey Scholarship Fund, University of Alabama, 1987 – Present; Chairman Board of Advisors, James and Ivel Caldwell Scholarship in International Studies, University of South Alabama, 1993 – Present; Member Board of Advisors, “Korean Economic Institute”, Washington, DC, 1996 – 1998; Member of Board of Directors Provident Counseling, 1993 – 1998; Chairman of Air Show Committee – “St. Louis County Fair and Air Show”, 1992 – 1995; Member of Board of Directors – International Education Consortium, 1982 – 1989; Member of Board of Directors and Vice President, World Affairs Council of St. Louis, 1984 – 1989; Vestry member of Church of St. Michael and St. George, St. Louis and St. Paul’s Chapel, Magnolia Springs, AL; In 2014, Jim was inducted as a member of the Order of St. John, a philanthropic organization that honors its recipients in recognition of their past charitable deeds. Members pledge to support the Order’s work in aid of the poor and the sick. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Jim never met a stranger. He was known for his generosity, hospitality, and infectious, fun-loving spirit. Jim was an avid outdoorsman and adventurer who loved music, traveling, climbing and skiing the mountains, hunting, fishing, sailing, cooking gourmet meals, and providing for others. Funeral service is on Friday, August 23rd, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel in Magnolia Springs, AL, with reception and visitation to follow in the church hall. Private burial at Pine Rest Cemetery in Foley, AL. A memorial service and reception will be held at the Church of St. Michael and St. George in St. Louis, MO at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 14th, 2019. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the James and Ivel Caldwell Scholarship in International Studies at the University of South Alabama at https://giving.southalabama.edu/ by selecting "find a specific fund" and searching "Caldwell." Checks can also be mailed in, made out to the "The University of South Alabama", with "Caldwell Scholarship" in the memo section to 650 Clinic Drive, TRP III Suit 1500 Mobile, AL 36688. Any gift made to the Caldwell Scholarship is matched dollar-for-dollar by the Mitchell Moulton Scholarship Initiative. Contacts: Anna Parks, Development Officer: 251-460-7676 or Christine Rinne, director of International Studies: 251-460-6746. The family asks that you share your condolences and memories online at www.pinerestfuneralhome.com