JOPLIN, MO. — Mr. Thomas Aaron Caldwell,

age 79, of Joplin, Mo., passed away at home with his family

after a recent illness on April 9, 2021. He was born to parents Cecil and Opal (Wallace) Caldwell on Jan. 11, 1942, in Jonesboro, Ark.

He is survived by one son, Ed Caldwell and granddaughter, Claire Caldwell, both of Sherwood, Ark.; one daughter, Donna Caldwell-Chaffin of Joplin, Mo., and her partner, Scott Vest of Wyandotte, Okla.; granddaughter, Lauren Chaffin of Joplin, Mo.; and sister-in-law, Jessie Riveria of Mountain Home, Ark.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Jo Caldwell, and his parents.

Thomas retired after serving in the U.S. military for more than 30 years. His service began in the U.S. Air Force in the late 1950s and resumed with the Arkansas Army National Guard in the late 1960s.

A Desert Storm veteran, he was the Master Sergeant of the 224th Maintenance Company’s automotive maintenance platoon and a former First Sergeant for the 172nd Maintenance Company in Heber Springs. He received numerous awards and decorations including: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Campaign Stars, Southwest Asia Kuwaiti Liberation Medal.

He retired from the U.S. Corps of Engineers as the Sr. Mechanic of the Bull Shoals Dam in 1996. He was a member of the VFW and a Past Master in the Masonic Order. He loved spending time with his family and was so proud of his two granddaughters. He cherished all the memories of traveling with his family.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021, from 6:30 p.m., to 8:30 p.m., at Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home, Ark. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 11 a.m., at Caldwell Chapel Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark., and military honors will be rendered at this time.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations to be made in his honor to the Caldwell Chapel Association, which is in care of David Cook, P.O. Box 842, Jonesboro, Ark., 72403.

Arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home. For online condolences please visit our online guestbook at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/mtnhome