Peter Kay Caldwell

Peter “Pete” Kay Caldwell passed away Feb. 19, at the age of 68, at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane.

He was born Dec. 13, 1943, in Walla Walla, Wash., to Anna (Conrad) and Stan Caldwell. He graduated from Touchet High in 1962 and played football for one year at USC.

He married Patricia Martin in March of 1963. Together they raised four children and lived near Ritzville, by Benge, where he worked for Kleweno Grain and Livestock for over 20 years. In 1989, they moved to the Palouse area where he worked for McGregors and Arrow Machinery. He and Patricia were later divorced.

On Oct. 16, 1993, he married Margaret Kilpatrick. Together they lived in Oakesdale, Wash.

He was a past president of the Ritzville Eagles Lodge, a past member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Worthy Patron, with Margaret, in Eastern Star in Oakesdale. He was on the Open Professional Rodeo Board and helped run open horse shows in Tekoa, Wash.

After Margaret retired from teaching, they started their own trucking business in the Othello area called PM Trucking, where he employed three other drivers. He was a very hard worker and very active in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He will be loved and missed very much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Stan, three sisters, Janet, Judy, Sheila and one brother, Fred.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, children Chad Caldwell, Michele (Todd) Oestreich, Ritzville, Kim (Jim) Leonard, Spokane, and Piper (Jake) Dickinson, Rosalia, Joey (Steve) Gardner, grandchildren, Seath, Sheve, Haley, Skyler, Adisson, Samara, Danika, Blake, and sister, Linda Caldwell, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life luncheon is planned on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. at the fire hall in Oakesdale, Wash.

Family suggests gifts be made to the 2012 Ritzville Rodeo Queen or the Ritzville Rodeo Association, 1902 E Weber Rd, Ritzville WA 99169, or the Adams County Volunteer Firefighters Association, 220 S Broadway, Othello WA 99344.

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax, Wash., is caring for the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.bruningfuneralhome.com.