Donald Lee Caldwell

Donald Lee Caldwell, 71, of Hermiston passed away at his home on Saturday July 15, 2017 after a long, hard battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
 
Don was born August 20, 1945 in Raymond, Washington the son of Lee and Edith (Emerson) Caldwell. He lived in South Bend, WA as a child where he graduated from high school in the Class of 1963. After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed abroad and served four years. He then moved to Washington D.C. for a short time before moving to Hillsboro, Oregon. While living in Hillsboro, he worked at a service station and then began working for the City Wastewater Treatment Plant.  With a full time job and family, he attended Clackamas Community College, receiving his Associates Degree.  In 1974, he moved to Hermiston to become the superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant.   One of his biggest accomplishments was assisting in upgrading the city’s wastewater treatment system and his vision of relocating the plant to its current location in the early 1980’s to keep up with the growth of the City of Hermiston.  In 1993, he took a position with the Department of Environmental Quality and oversaw the eastern region. He lived in Pendleton for a short time before moving to John Day in 1997, where he worked as the Public Works Director until his retirement in 2000.  He moved back to Hermiston from John Day in 2016. 
 
Don enjoyed buying and selling antiques and collectibles and started a business called “Grandkids Inheritance”.  He was known as “Dealin’ Don” to many associates at estate sales and auctions. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and was an avid poker player. He cherished his family and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.  He enjoyed attending their activities and sporting events.  He was involved with many community organizations such as; President of the Hermiston Band Boosters where he assisted in raising money for the band to travel to Europe, Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association where he received the William D. Hatfield Award for outstanding performance and professionalism in 1988, John Day City Council member from 2002 – 2014, actively involved in the Grant County Senior Center in John Day, member of the Elks Lodge for 44 years and the Eagles Lodge. 
 
Don married JoAn Arnold in Hinsdale, MT on August 1, 1967 and from this marriage two sons, Jeff and David were born. The couple divorced many years later. He married Carolyn Mayden on December 7, 1997 in Walla Walla, WA. 
 
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Hermiston; sons, Jeff and wife Nancy Caldwell and David and wife Brenda Caldwell; grandchildren, Dylan, Kaden, Jaclyn and Kyle; great grandchildren, Chase and Brooklyn; sisters, Dorothy Heater and Diane Hull; and numerous nieces and nephews.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Delores Brown and a brother, Dale Caldwell.
 
Viewing will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 Thursday July 20, 2017 at Burns Mortuary Chapel.
 
A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 A.M. Friday July 21 at Burns Mortuary Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow in Hermiston Cemetery.  A Reception will follow the graveside service at New Hope Church 1350 S. Hwy 395 Hermiston, Oregon.
 
Memorial donations can be sent to Shriner’s Hospital www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org
 
To leave an online condolence for the family go to www.burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

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