Albert Percy Caldwell Jr. was born August 1, 1931 at Helena, Arkansas and died February 25, 2021 at League City, Texas, a life spanning 89 years, 6 months and 25 days.

He was the eldest child of Albert Percy Caldwell Sr. and Mary Jo Bland Caldwell, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Caldwell and Robert Caldwell.

He is survived by his wife, Clevie Jean Friday Caldwell, to whom he was married on June 2, 1953, a loving union lasting almost 68 years. He is also survived by two sons, Stanley Caldwell and his wife Stephanie, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Kevin Caldwell and his wife Colleen, of Pearland, Texas; by two daughters, Mary Jean Caldwell Slazer and her husband Hollis, of League City, Texas; and Caroline Caldwell Alberstadt and her husband John, of St. Francisville, Louisiana; by 11 grandchildren: Sam Caldwell and his wife Kelly, Stephen Caldwell and Sarah-Jean Caldwell, all of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Becky Caldwell Wilson and her husband Wyatt, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; James Caldwell of Pearland, Texas; Daniel Slazer and his wife Emily, of League City, Texas; Aaron Slazer of Carrollton, Texas; Joel Slazer of Webster, Texas; Anne-Claire Alberstadt; Sophie Alberstadt and Ian Alberstadt, all of St. Francisville, Louisiana; 4 great-grandchildren: Camden Slazer of League City, Texas, Connor Caldwell and Kieran Caldwell of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Lynnon Caldwell of Long Beach,Mississippi; one brother, Rudy Caldwell Sr. and his wife Lee Pryor, of Tupelo, Mississippi; and two sisters, Shirley Seals of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Margery Grammer of Spring, Texas; along with many friends, extended family and associates.

Al Caldwell was raised in Columbus, Mississippi and graduated from S.D. Lee High School with the Class of 1949. He was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1953 with honors, then served 20 years in the United States Navy, 4 on active duty. While on active duty, he flew anti-submarine patrols. After leaving active duty, he had a long, distinguished career in petroleum refining, serving in plants at Destrehan, Louisiana; Texas City, Texas; El Dorado, Kansas; Chalmette, Louisiana and Pasadena, Texas. Following his retirement, he worked as a freelance consultant and expert witness in matters of oil refining.

As a young man, Albert was an Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop 1 in Columbus. He was an avid gardener, whose tomatoes were known far and wide, both for their quality and quantity, along with the many other vegetables he produced from the soil. He also loved to hunt, read books on military history and work crossword puzzles. He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Dickinson, Texas, where he taught an adult Sunday School class and was a monthly lay reader for many years. In his later years, he became the center around which the extended Caldwell family gathered, the patriarch who was the guiding force in the semi-annual reunions that have become a family tradition.

He was a great man, and he will be missed by all who knew him.