Gary Caldwell

Gary D. Caldwell, 67, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, died at his home Tuesday, February 16, 2010. He was born July 29, 1942, in Urbana, Ohio to the late Robert D. and Geraldine J. Caldwell. He also was preceded in death by his in-laws, James & Elsie Nutter and a sister-in-law, Penny Ann Emans, all of Marion, Ohio.

Gary is survived by his devoted wife, the former Norma J. Nutter, whom he married August 4, 1962, in Marion, Ohio; his two wonderful sons, and six loved and treasured grandchildren. Son, David D. Caldwell of Richwood, Ohio, and his sons, Ridge and Beau; son, Matthew J. (Marsha) Caldwell of Ridgeway, Ohio, and their children, Morgan, Mason, McCay and Malachi; a sister, Mary Jo (Tom) Carpenter of Galena, Ohio; a brother-in-law, William (Gerrie) Nutter, of Marion, Ohio; nieces, nephews and a very special group of Caldwell cousins.

He graduated from Marion Harding in 1960, received his BS in Education from Bowling Green State University in 1964 and his Masters from Wright State University in 1977. Gary began his teaching career as a band director. He taught one year at Blue Creek Local, and three years at Ridgedale Local before coming to Bellefontaine in 1968, where he was band director until 1973. The next twenty five years he was an OWE Coordinator at Bellefontaine City Schools.

He always said he had the best of two worlds- music and sports. From 1977 thru 1981, he was a volunteer assistant basketball coach with Oscar Erb at the freshman level, and was hired as the freshman boys assistant basketball coach in 1981; boys junior varsity basketball coach in 1994. He was the assistant girls basketball coach in 1995 under Dan Furlong, when the girls went to the State Final Four in 1996; retiring in 2004. During his basketball coaching, he found time to begin the Girls Cross Country program in 1981 and coached until 1990, after four trips to the State Cross Country Meet and two CBC championships.

Gary was called the "Voice of the Chieftains" for his twenty five years of announcing varsity football games, varsity boy’s basketball games, Bellefontaine City Music/Arts Festival and presenting local scholarships at Commencement.

After Gary retired from teaching in 1998, he worked at Tree Links Golf Course where he pursued his love of golf. Gary was responsible for beginning a match/metal league and instituted a friendly Ryder Cup type competition between the three local courses. He enjoyed many good rounds of golf with many good friends.

He was an avid Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan. He was a wood worker who created some beautiful furniture items. He loved watching his grandchildren in all their many and varied activities and was forever a teacher/coach on their behalf.

Calling hours are Friday, February 19, 2010, from 3 to 7 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine, where the funeral service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2010, at 11 A.M., with Pastor Ed Beale of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Bellefontaine Cemetery.

The family requests memorial contributions be given to Universal Hospice Care 701 S. Main Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 or First United Methodist Church Building Fund 201 N. Main St. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311

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