Henry Lee Caldwell, attorney, rancher and Abilene benefactor known for his genteel spirit and kind-hearted demeanor, died April 18, 2024, at his home in Abilene. He was 89.
A funeral is planned Tuesday, April 23, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 1330 N. 3rd Street, Abilene. Family will welcome friends at a visitation Monday, April 22, from 5-7 p.m., at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South in Abilene.
Caldwell was born in Abilene, Oct. 18, 1934, at West Texas Baptist Sanitarium, now Hendrick Health, on property originally donated for the hospital by his grandfather. He was the second of three children of Henry Guy Caldwell and Jeannette Tippit Caldwell, longtime Abilene residents, ranchers and philanthropists.
Soon after Lee was born, the family moved from the Nunn Ranch in Kent where he lived for less than a year before his father and grandfather leased the Walker Buckler River Ranch north of Albany on the Clear Fork of the Brazos. Lee and his older brother, Clifton, attended elementary school in Albany before the family moved to Abilene along with younger sister, Molly.
After attending Abilene High School for a year, Lee completed high school at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell in 1953 then a tour of duty as a Naval supply officer serving throughout the Pacific. He transitioned to the Naval Reserve in 1957 with the rank of Ensign. After leaving the Navy, he brought his penchant for meticulous planning and list-making to his personal and professional life, and it served him well.
He enrolled at the University of Texas, completing a bachelor’s degree and law degree. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1961 and began his legal career in Dallas before moving to Abilene to open a private practice in 1964, remaining active and managing the affairs of the Caldwell family for more than five decades.
While at UT, he first became acquainted with Ruth Elliot McEntire. Not until the pair were reintroduced at a Midland swimming party a few years later by Ruth’s cousin Jack Wilkinson, Jr. did the acquaintance become more serious. The two married July 31, 1967, beginning 57 years of adoring commitment to one another.
Two sons, Clifton Mott Caldwell, II and Andrew McEntire Caldwell were born in Abilene, joining Ruth’s children Martha Elliott “Ellie” Erskine and George Edward Erskine. The family became a fixture in the Abilene’s ranching, legal and fine arts communities.
Specializing in tax law, Lee served on the boards of Abilene Savings Association, First State Bank and Independent Bankshares, Inc.
He was a founding director of Hospice of Abilene, and served as board chairman of the Community Foundation of Abilene and St. John’s Episcopal School. In 2019, he and his sister, Molly Cline, were honored as Noble Gold and Grande Dame of the Abilene Philharmonic Ball. As vice chair of the board of trustees for Hardin-Simmons University, he continued a generational legacy of support for Christian higher education, founding the Judge and Mrs. C.M. Caldwell Endowed Scholarship for students with financial need. In 2023, his name was added to HSU’s Donor Wall of Honor. The Caldwells were lifelong members of First Baptist Church of Abilene.
The Caldwells especially enjoyed time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and at the U Ranch near Sterling City, Ruth’s family legacy now managed by their son. There, as everywhere, Lee could indulge his lifelong love of reading.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, brother and stepson. He is survived by his wife Ruth Elliot “Toodles” Caldwell, by his sons: Cliff Caldwell and wife Lauren of Sterling City, and Andrew Caldwell of Abilene, and by a daughter Martha Elliott “Ellie” and husband Michael Mabrey of Friendswood. Other survivors include nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Caroline Caldwell Sheets and husband Elijah of New York City; Henry Guy Caldwell II and wife Sydney, Tye Isaac Caldwell and Sophia Grace Caldwell, all of Sterling City; Emma Katherine and Cora Belle Caldwell of Nashville, Tennessee; Josh Mabrey of Friendswood; Megan Mabrey of Pembroke Pines, Florida; William Erskine of Cañon City, Colorado; and great grandchildren Georgia Eleanor Caldwell and McKenna Mabrey.
Those wishing to honor Lee’s life through a memorial gift may wish to contribute to the Hendrick Hospice Care of Abilene, United Way Foundation of Abilene or the Judge and Mrs. C.M. Caldwell endowed scholarship at Hardin-Simmons University.
The Caldwell family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Hendrick Hospice Care and Visiting Angels. The family also would like to thank Tony Rodriguez for his dedication and hours of conversation with Lee, and next-door neighbor Dana Endsley for being there with constant love and support.
To leave condolences please visit, www.elliott-hamil.com
Posted online on April 19, 2024
Published in San Angelo Standard-Times
