Vernal “Pooch” Caldwell, 87, a lifelong Monett resident, went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 16, 2020.
Pooch was born on April 27, 1932 the son of Otto and Lura Means-Caldwell. Pooch married his high school sweetheart on October 9, 1954 in Monett. They were married for 54 years until her death in 2009.
Pooch went to Minden School where as a 7th grader he worked as a janitor going to school early to light the stove during the winter. He was a proud member of the MHS Class of ’51. He sported #61RE for the Cubs when they became ’49 and ’50 Conference champs and played in the Marble Bowl. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard, Monett Masonic Lodge and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine. He loved attending the senior dances in the area and started a local one at the Monett Senior Center.
Pooch worked for Herman Brown-Lowe Wholesale Auto Parts for 6 years. He then went to work for Friend Tire Service as a bookkeeper. After a year he hit the road in sales for 26 more years. He then traded his jeans for a suit and tie as the 13th employee and first salesman for Jack Henry and Associates.
When he first started he didn’t know that software wasn’t “soft goods” but that didn’t stop him from helping the company become what it is today. After 16 years he hung up his traveling shoes and unsuccessfully tried retirement. He donned a realtor’s hat for 5 years for Crown Double K until he finally gave in to retirement.
Vernal and Barbara proudly shared four children - Cindy Hollinger and her husband Steve of Paola, KS, Steve Caldwell and his wife Barbara of Saginaw, TX, David Caldwell and his wife Missy of Rocky Comfort, MO, and Jane Planchon and her husband Randy of Basehor, KS; six grandchildren – Amy Verstraete and her husband Jake of Republic, MO, Kaylee White and her husband Paul of Louisburg, KS, Crayton Caldwell and his wife Kseniya of Bonner Springs, KS, Zach Caldwell and his wife Carlie of Overland Park, KS, Nathan Planchon and his wife Jordan of Wylie, TX, and Cooper Caldwell and his wife Allison of Shawnee, KS; 9 and one soon to arrive great-grandchildren – Raleigh and Paityn Verstraete, Holden and Harper White, Gavin and Sofia Caldwell, Mason and Hadley Caldwell, and Amelia Planchon; and one brother, KC Caldwell of Monett and a very special friend, Loretta Hurlbut.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. Also by a son-in-law, Randall Scott Hollinger.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St Lawrence Catholic Church with Father Rahab Isidor officiating. Rosary will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bennett Wormington Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 8 p.m.. Inurnment will be at Monett IOOF at a later date.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or the charity of donors’ choice.
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