Earl Gene Caldwell 7/20/1931 - 10/3/2026 Earl Gene Caldwell was born on July 20, 1931, to Earl and Faye Caldwell in the home of his grandparents, Ed and Martha Williams. He was raised in Malad, graduating in 1949 from Malad High School. In high school, he lettered in all sports (and continued to play, coach, and watch sports throughout his life). After he graduated, he went to school at Albion Normal School, a teaching college in Albion, Idaho, with the goal of becoming a teacher and a coach. Then, as he puts it, he was “politely asked by Uncle Sam to head to Korea for a couple of years.” He served in the Signal Corps with the 24th Infantry Division. 

While in the Signal Corps, he served with five others in the Message Center. He was trained for six months in San Luis Obispo. “Wherever the General was, that’s where we were. We moved up to the 38th parallel the last week we were there, and then the war ended.” After he and another Malad soldier returned home together, the first thing they each bought on U.S. soil was a gallon of milk …they chugged the whole thing, ever grateful to be away from powdered milk in the Army! 

After he returned from Korea, he had a few bucks saved and bought his green 1954 Chevrolet, which impressed his girlfriend and future wife, Kay Reese. They dated in Malad, but then Kay’s family had moved to Las Vegas, and thus began a long-distance relationship which ended in an elopement to Fort Hall Indian Reservation near Pocatello in 1957. 

Gene and Kay then moved to Logan, Utah, where he finished his degree in Civil Engineering at Utah State University. He graduated in 1958 with his first daughter, Leslie, and Kay in tow to a new adventure - he accepted a job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Los Angeles, California, and they headed west! 

Their second daughter Gina was born at home in Monterey Park, California. Gene’s claim to fame here is that he is listed as the physician on Gina’s birth certificate! The family lived in Whittier and LaMirada, California, until 1972 when they moved to Vancouver, Washington, when Gene transferred to the Portland, Oregon, office of the Corps of Engineers. He retired in 1988.

 Kay and Gene made their next home back in Malad, Idaho. They became very active in community events, helping to start the Iron Door Playhouse. Gene was never a shy person, and thus he enthusiastically participated in many of the productions as part of the cast and also the stage crew. 

Gene served as a County Commissioner for 10 years. He also served on the Malad City Council for 5 years. Gene was a long time member of the Ernest W. Jones American Legion Post in Malad, recently receiving an award for over 70 years of membership. He served as a commander of the post for many years, and, along with Kay’s father, Dale Reese, helped establish the Oneida County Veterans Memorial on Main Street. 

A recent accomplishment was helping Kay and Brent Bowen with a book about the Oneida County veterans. Additionally, in 2023, Gene had the opportunity to head to Washington D.C. on an Honor Flight sponsored by Nucor where he saw the Korean War Memorial among other sites. 

Gene was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served for many years in the mutual and scouting programs and in other callings as requested. Gene also served as a Santa representative for many years, only retiring his suit and beard a few years ago! 

Gene will be long remembered for his great sense of humor, his love of his country and Malad, and a general love of life and pinochle. He enjoyed people and never met a stranger, no matter where he traveled in the world. When asked where he was from, Gene would say, “I’m from Malad, Idaho, the prettiest little town in Idaho.” Some have famous last words, but not Gene. He has a final joke. His last joke to his hospital staff was ”I’m a light eater! I eat when it is light!” 

Gene leaves behind his wife Kay (Reese) Caldwell, daughter Leslie (David) Blanchard, and daughter Gina (Hal) Halladay. He has seven grandkids: Macy Halladay, Alex (Ashley) Blanchard, Dylan (Lolly) Halladay, Betsy (Max) Jorgensen, Stephanie Blanchard, Truman (Brittany) Halladay, and Beecher Halladay. He also has 10 great-grandkids: Jason, Eleanor, Madeline, Charlie, Ben, Harland, Tollef, Goldie, Bo, and Harvey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Faye Caldwell, and his sister, Gaylene (Caldwell) Willie.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Malad Stake Center at 1250 North 1100 West, Malad, ID. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:30 - 1:30. Arrangements by Horsley Funeral Home, Malad, Idaho