Obituary

The family of John Ronald Caldwell JR, 56 of Lee’s Summit, MO, is saddened to announce his unexpected death on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023. 

John was born May 21, 1967, in North Kansas City, MO. In his younger years, he played baseball for Winnetonka High School, before graduating in 1985. He earned a Bachelors in Engineering from Northwest Missouri State and belonged to the Delta Chi Fraternity. Through mutual friends, John met his wife Sherry in 1994. The two quickly recognized their instant connection and soon married on November 26th, 1994. Together, John and Sherry started their family, which includes their four amazing children.  

John started working for BNSF Railway on April 6, 2005. As a Field Engineer, his initial work focused on managing and facilitating public and customer projects.  He was later promoted to Project Engineer, where his primary role was executing capital expansion projects.  John was intimately involved in major projects for the railway company, including the intermodal facility in Memphis, customer projects in the Bakken Shale region of North Dakota during the oil boom of 2012-2015, and the second mainline projects in Nebraska and Oklahoma.  Most recently, in February of 2023, he was a critical member of a team recognized by BNSF’s President and CEO Katie Farmer, for their successful efforts in securing a contract in Osceola, AR.  Beyond external accolades, John was known by his colleagues as a man of integrity, loyalty, hard work, and good humor. 

John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his wife and family traveling to Branson, the lake, and Silver Dollar City. He was also a very faithful dog daddy, and enjoyed playing hide the licorice with his dogs. 

He is survived by his devoted wife Sherry Caldwell of almost 29 years; his mother Julie Rose, and his father John Caldwell SR and step-mother Susan Caldwell; two sisters Joline Keevy and her family, Joann Caldwell and her family; 3 sons Nicholas Caldwell and his family, John Caldwell III, Hunter Caldwell, and his daughter Julie Thomas and her family, along with several nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his grandparents William and Margaret Rose and Pete and Lucille Caldwell, his uncle Bill Rose, and two aunts Mary Michael Stanley and Mary Kitts. 

A visitation is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023, followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm. Both services will be held at Langsford Funeral Home, located at 115 SW 3rd Street in Lee’s Summit, MO.  

In lieu of flowers, donations to help cover medical bills and funeral expenses are greatly appreciated.

John R Caldwell, JR’s Memorial Website | Ever Loved