A service of remembrance will be held Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m. at the Coupeville United Methodist Church for John L. “Jack” Caldwell who departed this life March 14, 2006 at Whidbey General Hospital after a short illness. Rev. Hobart Hildyard will officiate.

Jack was born in Kalispell, Mont., on Dec. 15, 1926. He lived in Montana until his graduation from Polson High School at which time he moved to Spokane where he attended radio school and worked for Alcoa. With the advent of World War II he joined the U.S. Navy where he continued with his radio studies and became an instructor.

When Jack was discharged he enrolled at the University of Montana from which he was graduated in June 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree and began his professional career as a chemist for Anaconda Copper. In 1952 he transferred to Washington where he worked for Boeing, subsequently moving to Reynolds Metals in Longview where he worked first as a chemist, then a process engineer, and for 10 years as personnel manager until his retirement in 1985. Upon retirement a final move was made to Whidbey Island.

Jack was predeceased by his wife, Muriel Bowers Caldwell, to whom he had been married in 1950. In 1968 they adopted two sons, Ronald and Randall. After settling into retirement, Jack became very active in the Coupeville United Methodist Church where he served several years of chairman of the Administrative Council as well as technician for the sound system, and serving on several important committees. Besides his church activities he spent many hours daily with his music. A self-taught musician, Jack mastered several band instruments and joined the Silver Tones, a band at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, and was still playing with the group until his illness. For several years he had been director of the Silver Tones. Sharing his talents gave Jack pleasure and he would visit the local nursing homes and play and sing for the elderly. Jack continued his interest in training in radio as a member of the Island County Amateur Radio Club. Jack was also a member of the Coupeville Masonic Lodge.

Jack is survived by his daughters Corrine Cline and her husband Michael of Bellingham, and Vicky and husband Randy of Vancouver, Wash.; and his sons, Randall and Ronald Caldwell of Concrete. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Chris, Amy and Lisa Cline, Ryan and Andrea Loren, and Greg, Sarah and Johnny Caldwell. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made at the Coupeville United Methodist Church.