Donald Lee Caldwell

Donald Lee Caldwell, 71, of Hermiston passed away at his home on Saturday, July 15, after a long, hard battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Caldwell was born Aug. 20, 1945, in Raymond, Washington, the son of Lee and Edith (Emerson) Caldwell. He lived in South Bend, Washington, 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. 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 associate 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 1980s 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.

Caldwell 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; and member of the Elks Lodge for 44 years and the Eagles Lodge.

Caldwell married JoAn Arnold in Hinsdale, Montana, on Aug. 1, 1967, and from this marriage two sons, Jeff and David, were born. The couple divorced many years later. He married Carolyn Mayden on Dec. 7, 1997, in Walla Walla, Washington.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of Hermiston; sons Jeff and wife, Nancy, and David and wife, Brenda; four grandchildren; sisters Dorothy Heater and Diane Hull; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Delores Brown, and a brother, Dale Caldwell.

Viewing will be held from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at Burns Mortuary chapel in Hermiston. A funeral service will be at 11 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.

Memorial donations can be sent to Shriner’s Hospital, shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.