"Thinking of you always ?Melissa "
In loving memory of
Ronnaldo Sundee Caldwell Sr.
June 1, 1953 - November 12, 2011
Ronnaldo Sundee Caldwell Sr. ~ Shuny ~ Ron ~ Pops ~ 'Lucan'
Ronnaldo Caldwell passed away Saturday, November 12, 2011 from cancer at Agrace HospiceCare.
Ronnaldo was the only son born to Robert & Lerial Caldwell on June 1,1953 in Washington, D.C. Ron moved to Madison Wisconsin in September 1968 with his mother and sisters. Ron attended and graduated from Madison Memorial High School in 1971. Ron's first job was at Arby's on South Park Street when it first opened. Ron also worked for Bob Fox & Sons, VA Hospital, The Edgewater Hotel and most recently for Dane County ~ which started with the City-County Building, then the Courthouse and ending with the Job Service.
Ronnaldo was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served 2 tours during the Vietnam War from November 1972 until October 1975, as a E3/Electrical & Mechanical Engineer aboard the USS Enterprise. Ron also served in the Navy Reserve from 1976-1978. Ron and his son Ronnaldo enjoyed sitting by Dane County Airport talking about and watching the F-16's taking off and landing.
Ron was a avid sports fan, starting with his love for the Washington Redskins. After moving to Madison Ron's love for the Redskins slowly faded as he became a huge fan of the Badgers and the Packers. Watching many of their games over the years and even seeing a few games live. He also enjoyed watching his son Steven play football for the South Side Raiders and for Madison West High School. Ron also enjoyed watching his sons Ronnaldo & Brandon play football in High School.
Ron became a father for the first time when Luann Hanrahan gave birth to their son Steven Phillip on June 28, 1984. Ron later married Nancy Carlstrom and they had two sons ~ Ronnaldo Sundee II born July 12, 1988 and Brandon Michael born June 25, 1989. Ron was overjoyed at the birth of his grandson Paxton (5 years old) to his son Brandon and Ron was cheesing right up to his death from the love he had for his granddaughter Izabella (2 years old) to his son Ronnaldo. Ronnaldo & Brandon have fond memories of going to Tenney Park as a family to feed the ducks.
Ronnaldo is survived by three sons ~ Steven Caldwell, Ronnaldo Caldwell II (Amber Scudera), Brandon Caldwell; grandson Paxton Denning-Caldwell & granddaughter Izabella Caldwell. Ron's soul mate Dawne Bailey (Shelley) . Five sisters ~ Drusilla Caldwell, Celestine Winters, Renee Reneau, Marsha Hawkes, & Tonya Bullock, one uncle Marvin Vincent & three aunts ~ Estelle Atkins, Priscilla Johnson & Alnice Vincent and a host of nieces, nephews & cousins.
Ronnaldo was predeceased by his father Robert DeLeon Caldwell (1977), his mother Lerial Goldie Caldwell (1995), his maternal grandfather Simon W. Vincent (1970), his paternal grandmother Annie Caldwell (1976), his maternal grandmother Goldie J. Vincent (2002) and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. And a very close friend Mike Davis from Arizona who recently passed away in August 2011.
A BIG Loving Ron Hug goes out to Mr. Clyde & Mrs. Luvenia White & their sons (Clyde, Donald, Steve, Darryl & Michael) and Carolyn Warren family friends of Washington D.C. and the close friends Ron had made in Madison WI ~ Tommy Moncreif, Terry Fox, Al Caldwell, Larry Horton, Glendale Braud, Freddie Hargons, Chris Hawkes, Sarah O'Brien, Marie Davis and Lori Sorensen & her sister Julie.
The Dash
~ Linda Ellis ~
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For the dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's action to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Henry Vilas Zoo on behalf of Ronnaldo Caldwell.
Thanks to all family, friends, UW Medical Staff and Agrace HospiceCare for all their Loving help with Ronnaldo's care these past 7 months. Thanks also to Andrew & staff at Cress Funeral & Cremation Service. And special thanks to the other two members of our Three Musketeers ~ Steven Caldwell & Dawne Bailey ~ Your Loving Big Sister Celestine.
Tributes
"5 years and it feels like it was just yesterday. I miss you lots Ron. Hugs and Kisses ??'???'???'???'???'? Les"
"Miss you! ❤️❤️"
"Ron it's been 2 years since I've said goodbye to you. I sure do miss our talks & visits. I miss you very much. Love You Bro ~ Big Sis Les"
"It's not the things you get but the hearts you touch that will determine your succes in life. Ron you touched many hearts before leaving this life. I as well as many do truly miss you. Sorry I'm a day late for you for your BIG 60 that you would have been yesterday, but my thoughts and love for you were in my heart heavy as I sure it was with family and friends who miss you so much. I Love Bro ~ Big Sis Les "
"Thinking of you and grandma today. Love you!"
"Hey Bro,
Well I made it through my first year without you. I think of you everyday. I miss you very much. Love You Always ~ Big Sis Les"
"Hey Bro,
It doesn't feel like it's been a year already, but today a year ago we said goodbye to you for the last time. I went back to D.C. this year and did a life review for me & you. That helped me a lot with my grieving you. I started my day with calling Ms. Lou and sharing some tears with her. Then I went to watch my granddaughter's basketball game (they won!). Then I stopped by to visit your gravesite and took pictures. I also left you another gift from me ~ a Rainbow Heart. It's was a very nice day out today just like it was a year ago. I came home and listen to the last music we shared together while remembering all the good times we had growing up. I also talked to Tommy today. Well, I guess that's it for this time. I love you and miss you very much. Love Always Big Sis Les"
"Hello Honey, Just over a year now and I miss you terribly. I think about you every day. I will always love you."
"We miss you and love you...."
"Well, Ron it's been a year today since I last said goodbye to you, gave you a hug & kiss. I miss you very much. I chose to have a 1st year anniversary dinner to remember you today. My dinner guest were Steven & Jenna, Shunny, Amber & Bella & Brandon. Shelley & her family were suppose to come but Shelley was sick. I fixed your favorites, Barbequed Pork Steak, Turkey Drumsticks, Greens, Potatoe Salad, Sweet Potatoes, Blueberry Cornbread. Oh and how can I forget the Bread Pudding. Everyone really enjoyed themselves. I packed up some dinner for Shelley & her family, and Steven & Shunny took the rest of the leftovers home. Bella is finally starting to warm up to me (a few more visits) and she'll be fine. I wanted to have this gathering on the same day that we last spent with you rather than on the day you passed away. I can't believe it's been a year already. I still have not grieved your passing away yet, but I know it will come some time. I just wanted to share this and say how much I love you and miss you. Your Big Sister Les"
"We came into this year not knowing that this would be the last year we'd be spending with my only brother Ronnaldo. Everyone that knew Ron will have wonderful memories to help carry them through their grieving. Some will make you cry & others will make you laugh, but either way you will feel his love in you when you do. I'd like to share the tribute to Ron that I read at his Service ~ The Oak Tree (A message of encouragement) ~ A mighty wind blew night & day, it stole the oak trees leaves away. Then snapped its bough & pulled it's bark. Until the oak was tired and stark. But still the oak tree held it's ground. While other trees fell all around. The weary wind gave up and spoke, "How can you still be standing, Oak?" The oak tree said, "I know that you can break each branch of mine in two, carry every leaf away, shake my limbs, and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth, growing stronger since my birth. You'll never touch them for you see, they are the deepest part of me. Until today I wasn't sure of just how much I could endure. But now I've found with thanks to you, I'm stronger than I ever knew." ~ Especially now, try to remember that you're stronger than any problem you encounter or any disappointment life will bring. ~ So as this year comes to an end remember that Ron was strong right up to the end and all along the way of his final journey. And his last words to family & friends was to be strong for him because he was being strong. Remember to that you never know when or how things are going to come to you so try to be strong like that 'Oak Tree'. I will miss you my only brother Ron so much and will Love you forever. Loving you forever ~ your Big Sister Les"
"What a wonderful man you were. You were awesome to me for the last 7 years. I will miss you forever. I will always love you. Rest my sweet man. "
"Ronnaldo you are going to be missed; especially your smile. Rest in peace our brothter. God grant strength to his family and his children. "
"I have so many wonderful memories of Ron, Starting with the day we met. Ron and I were 17 and worked at Ponderosa Steak house on Park street. It was summer and we often left work and headed straight to Bernies's beach for a cool dip and some summer fun. Through the years Ron and I always stayed in touched with each other. We shared a very special love for life and each other. Sometimes we were best buddies and at other times we disagreed, but that never kept us from being there for each other. Ron was the only Male friend that I knew I could truely trust no matter what. He was always there for me through these last 41 years. I will miss him greatly, but know we will meet again. God bless you all and give you comfort each and everyday."
"I talked with "Ron" in the hallway and around the CCB many times. I had not seen him in a while and am sad to hear why. He was always so friendly, and made our workplace feel more like family. Some people do that, and Ronaldo was one of them. I wish I could have told him this in person, so to his family and friends, thanks for sharing such a wonderful man with us for so many years. I will truly miss him and think of him around this building where we all worked."
"Ronnaldo Sundee Caldwell Farewell Ron, I hope to meet you again. There are so many ways to say goodbye to people we love and respect, I believe that remembering the characteristics which have been adopted by our own hearts is a simple and pure way to bid farewell. Since I've known you Ron now and for days to come, lead by your example "I will walk with my head held high". All those that new you know exactly what I mean, when I say Respect and Honor have always been your creed. Your posture, with chest abroad, chin up, and intensity in your eyes, like a lion standing before the sunset of a bright red sky; this is the image of you I will keep until my time has passed. When I look at my brother Steven and see the incredible man he has become, I have you to thank for many of the noble qualities he shares with all of his family. Steven, Shunny, and Brandon are all born of your creed and your legacy inspite of your breathless body still remains very much alive. I love you and respect you Ron. Sean "
"Ron was a very special man. He was a great friend of my husband, Mike Davis, when they both worked at the post office together. Although we only lived in Wisconsin for 6 years, Ron was a life-long friend. He cared so much for others. He called frequently and gave gifts and sent cards just to let us know he was thinking of us. I know he and Mike are together again in heaven watching Badger football and making up for lost time. I'm sad that both of their lives ended when they still had so much love to give. We love you Ron and will always remember your goodness and your friendship."
"It's so sad but wonderful to read about what a full life he had. Sad in the fact that he had to leave so much behind, but wonderful in the sense that so much of him will live on. What an inspiring past, thank you especially for your services, Ronnaldo. My thoughts go out to the family..."
"The thing I will miss most is the fact he rushed to give me a hand shake and a smile. He was always in good spirits, and kept me lifted up! He never complained, and did what he needed to do to keep his boat floating. I learned a lot about how to live in this world by his example, and I will never forget that. He will be missed."
"Dear Family, Although I didn't know him very well, Ronnell was a friendly person at work. He always greeted me with a nice smile and a warm hello."
"Ahhhh Nado - memories of You and Bette Lou remind me of how much fun we had; you talking to Steven prior to birth and the surprise when he tried to speak to you at three days old. We did a good job making each other look like good parents. You walked me to the mirror at 2:30 am one night and since then have been sober for 25 years. Thank you for the wonderful conversation, forever. If I hear Bette Lou laughing I'll know the two of you are enjoying another scheme in progress! A shout out to the 3 Musketeers!"
"Uncle Shuny it has been a little over two weeks since your life came to an end. I know God has a purpose for all of us, although I??m having a hard time understanding why you had to leave so soon. Seems like just yesterday when I saw you smiling and talking. You are gone now, but in my heart you will forever stay. I will remember your smile and the wisdom you always gave to me. I wish I could tell you I love you one more time. You are in heaven now our angel. So rest in peace until we meet again. I have fond memories of tickle tortures, hugs and kisses. Ariyanna gives her love and says she hopes your mom had a great big party for you when you got your wings. Love, Melissa and Ariyanna "
"Too soon...what a dear man you are...25 years ago your wedding gift to Tommie and I was to take pictures at our wedding. They are still the best and I laugh whenever I look at them because you captured everything so perfectly...I especially love the picture I took of you with Tommie's top hat on. I know you are in a better place my dear Shuny...you will always have a very special place in my heart!!!"