After graduating in aeronautical engineering from Auburn University and marrying the love of his life, Rosemary Davidson, Jake was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force. Jake proudly served his country as a fighter pilot. His service as a fighter pilot and Cold War warrior were the defining years of his life. During his active duty years and his later Alabama Air National Guard service, Captain Caldwell piloted T-34, T-28 and T-33 aircraft, honing his skills as a fledgling fighter pilot. Transitioning to more complex equipment, Captain Caldwell flew the F-84, RF-84, F-86 and F-104.
During his active Air Force service, Captain Caldwell transitioned into the most advanced fighter jet of its time, the F-100 Super Sabre. Captain Caldwell also flew various NATO aircraft while serving overseas. Captain Caldwell was involved in flight operations in Libya, North Africa.
He was a proud member of the Super Sabre Society.
When Jake left the Air Force in 1964, he joined Delta Airlines concurrently flying as a captain in the Alabama Air National Guard. His first commercial flight was as flight engineer on a Douglas DC-6. After co-piloting the Convair 880 and DC-8, Captain Caldwell was advanced to fly as captain in the Douglas DC-9, DC-8, Lockheed L-100s (C-130), Boeing 727, 757, 767 and the Lockheed 1011 Tri-Star. Captain Caldwell retired as an international captain, flying the L-1011.
Simultaneously with Jake’s Delta career, he studied law at the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta, was admitted to the Georgia State Bar and practiced law part time.
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/191095307/jacob-james-caldwell
Jacob J. Caldwell, Jr., Capt USAF/Airline Capt, “Headed West” on September 30, 2011.
Capt. Jacob James Caldwell Jr., retired from Delta Airlines and beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, in Little Rock, Ark., after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma. Son of Kathryn and Jacob Caldwell, he was born June 14, 1936, in Jacksonville, Fla.
He was raised in Demopolis, Ala., and spent many hours working on his family’s dairy farm. When he graduated from Demopolis High School, Auburn University was the next stop. At Auburn, he met and married the love of his life, Rosemary Davidson, of Chickasaw, Ala.
After graduating in aeronautical engineering and being commissioned in the U.S. Air Force, Jake proudly served his country as a fighter pilot. His service as a fighter pilot and Cold War warrior were the defining years of his life. During his active duty years and his later Alabama Air National Guard service, Captain Caldwell piloted T-34, T-28 and T-33 aircraft, honing his skills as a fledgling fighter pilot. Transitioning to more complex equipment, Captain Caldwell flew the F-84, RF-84, F-86 and F-104.
During his active Air Force service, Captain Caldwell transitioned into the most advanced fighter jet of its time, the F-100 Super Sabre. Captain Caldwell also flew various NATO aircraft while serving overseas. Captain Caldwell was involved in flight operations in Libya, North Africa.
He was a proud member of the Super Sabre Society.
When Jake left the Air Force in 1964, he joined Delta Airlines concurrently flying as a captain in the Alabama Air National Guard. His first commercial flight was as flight engineer on a Douglas DC-6. After co-piloting the Convair 880 and DC-8, Captain Caldwell was advanced to fly as captain in the Douglas DC-9, DC-8, Lockheed L-100s (C-130), Boeing 727, 757, 767 and the Lockheed 1011 Tri-Star. Captain Caldwell retired as an international captain, flying the L-1011.
Simultaneously with Jake’s Delta career, he studied law at the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta, was admitted to the Georgia State Bar and practiced law part time. Jake and Rosemary ultimately moved to Alabama, retiring to their beautiful, stately home in Daphne. Described by family and friends as brilliant, irascible, energetic, persevering, demanding, talented and wickedly funny, it is suggested that if the true measure of a man is how he cares for his family, there are none better than Jake Caldwell. A voracious reader and lover of literature, he has inspired many with a thirst for knowledge and an example of perseverance. Jake was a talented wood turner and blessed family and friends with beautiful works of art. Jake leaves behind his lovely and gracious wife of 53 years, Rosemary; daughter, Kathryn Seckar and husband Steve, of Tampa, Fla.; and son, George and wife Noel, of Prairieville. His grandchildren are Claire Chae and husband Peter, and Mark Vasterling. A namesake great-grandson, Jacob Peter Chae, was born Oct. 1, 2011, in London, England. Jake also leaves a brother, David Carver Caldwell and wife Peggy, of Marionville, Mo.; sisters, Marilyn Winter, of Acworth, Ga., and baby sister, Alana Marquis and husband Jim, of Ovilla, Texas; brother-in-law and friend, George “Bo” Davidson, of Orange Beach, Ala.; and various nieces, nephews and many longtime, loyal friends. Consistent with Jake’s belief in science and technology, he has dedicated his earthly remains to the State of Alabama Anatomical Program for use in medical education. A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life; the time and location to be announced in the near future. A special thank you to Martin Lester, M.D., Trish Sullivan and medical staff, Daniel Cameron, M.D., University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Thomas Home Health and to all of the wonderful help and support offered by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Myeloma Institute, Bijay Nair, M.D., and our supportive friends at the Guest House Inn in Little Rock.
Published by The Advocate on Oct. 9, 2011.
