Emmette "Gene" Caldwell

If you’ve ever asked someone how tall they were, and they replied, “5ft 17in,” then you were probably talking to Gene Caldwell. If you were ever taught a little bit about a lot of things, then your dad was probably Gene Caldwell. If you were ever warmly welcomed in as part of a family that wasn’t yours by blood, then your “Papa Gene” was probably Gene Caldwell.

Emmette Eugene (Gene) Caldwell, affectionately known by many as “Papa Gene,” was born 10/14/42 in Port Arthur, Texas to Emmette Mitchell Caldwell and Mayro Eunice Canady Caldwell. The baby of three boys, Gene was the daughter his mother always wanted, until at the age of three while his mother was out of the house, his father cut his long, curly locks and exchanged his dress for overalls, causing near divorce and many tears upon his mother’s return. In addition to his parents, on 3/14/25 Gene joined his eldest brother Jerry in heaven with the Lord. No doubt, Jerry and Gene are loudly proclaiming that Clyde is their ugliest brother, and they’re getting away with that until Clyde reunites with them and sets the record straight.

While working at the Mobil Oil Beaumont refinery, Gene met Cindy Edgar, a pretty little nurse, in the Mobil medical clinic, and they began what would now be categorized as workplace fraternization but in the late 70s was just known as dating. The two soon realized they were meant to be and married on September 7, 1980, combining kids in true Brady Bunch fashion: Scott and Kirby from Gene, and Angie and Josh from Cindy.

Together, Gene and Cindy established a permanent home in Nederland, TX while also traveling the world during an expat assignment in Saudi Arabia. Following a lifelong career with Mobil Oil, Gene retired in 1995 and began building a beach cabin in Crystal Beach, TX. Spending as much time as he could shrimping in the bay, Gene supplied many friends and family with fresh shrimp and managed to finish building their beach cabin in a record five years! Many happy family memories were made in their beach cabin, including when Scott and his wife Laura announced they were expecting Gene’s first grandchild.

Scott and Laura’s daughter Reece was born in Boulder, Colorado, a distance which led to what would be considered by many as the strangest road trip ever, comprised of Gene, Cindy, and Gene’s ex-wife Chery. But what the world views as odd, the Caldwell family just embraced as ours. Reece was quickly followed by Christian, Josh’s son. And the grandchild race officially began. Through marriage, Ashley, who had technically been around the longest, now officially became the oldest grandchild. Scott and Laura again came through with their son Cody, but Kirby and his wife Lisa answered with their son Kade. Not to be outdone by her brothers, Angie and her husband Diaco produced their son Connor, but Kirby and Lisa were hot on their heals with their daughter Kylie. In true only-sister fashion, Angie asserts that she and Diaco saved the best for last with their daughter Ella, while Angie’s brothers maintain she just came in last place and is therefore the loser. (If you were able to keep track of all of that, you’ll note that the brothers and sister all tied with two grandkids each.)

While Papa Gene loved and adored his grandchildren, he also welcomed and doted on many children who weren’t necessarily direct grandchildren but who were grandchildren at heart. Madeline Gabourel, Felicia Simon, Casen Snow, Aubry Snow, and the Wike bunch are just a few of many such bonus grandchildren. In addition, Gene was Papa to four great grandchildren: Kylor, Karsyn, Callan, and Addisyn.

After selling the beach cabin and the Nederland home, Gene and Cindy began country living in Buna, TX. Many more memories were made of riding tractors, feeding cows, crazy Christmases at the farm, and almost falling through holes in the floor of the temporary trailer house.

Throughout his life, Gene could be counted on to always help others when he could, including projects for the church, his neighbors, and his children. Frequently giving of his time, talents, and treasures, Gene showed the love of Christ to others. Gene firmly believed that he was redeemed from his sin through his faith alone in Christ’s death alone by God’s grace alone.

Gene was a big man with an even bigger heart, and he would want you to know that you too can have a relationship with Jesus and live a life secure in the knowledge that one day you’ll join Him in heaven.

In true Papa Gene fashion, in lieu of flowers or donations, please use your time, talents, and treasures to bless someone in need.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Buna, TX at 2pm in their Christian Activities Building. 1155 State Highway 62 South. Everyone is invited to attend, enjoy light desserts, and share memories of Gene.