Harold E. "Hal" Caldwell

Harold Edwin Caldwell, 76, of Manhattan, passed away February 22, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan. He was retired from the US Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 and former owner of Hal's Plumbing in Manhattan. Harold E. Caldwell was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on January 20, 1940, the son of the late Mildred Lucille (Matthews) and Ras Harold Caldwell. On July 27, 1962 in Big Springs, Texas Hal was united in marriage to Virginia Lee Carpenter. Hal attended and graduated from Manhattan Vo-Tech and Emery-Riddle University in Ft. Rutker, Alabama. He joined and served in the U.S. Marines from 1958-62. Hal joined and retired from the U.S Army as a helicopter pilot after 24 years of service. He served two tours with the 2/20 ARA (Aerial Rocket Artillery) Cobras Blue Max during the Vietnam War. During his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Metal, Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Metal with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Star, just to name a few. After his retirement he owned Hal's Plumbing Manhattan, from 1997-2003. Hal was a member of the VFW Post #1786, Pearce-Keller Post # 17 American Legion all of Manhattan, ARA (Ariel Rocket Artillery), and the Vietnam Army Helicopter Pilot Association. Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of the home; two daughters, Cindy Kay Bradstreet, of Manhattan; Wendy L. (Perry) Henault, of Tecumseh, KS; two sisters, Patricia Patterson, of Rogers, Ark; June (Robert) Hartman, of Rogers Ark; a brother, James C. (K.T.) Caldwell, of Florida; 5 grandchildren, Jessica Bradstreet & Kevin Kelsey, Jeremie (Derek) Kay Stanley, Christopher J. (Bridget) Bradstreet, Brendan Henault, Trace Henault; 4 Great grand: Tyler Stanley, Alex Bradstreet, Azydelia Bradstreet, and Veronica Stanley. He was preceded in death by his parents: a brother, Ronald J. Caldwell and a sister, Bonnie Sue Betnar. A memorial service will be held at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation, at 9:30 am on Friday, February 26th, with Rev. Paul Allen officiating. Burial will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery following the service, with Military Honors being provided by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard. The family requested donations to Angles Care Home Health, 311 Fort Riley Blvd, Manhattan, KS 66502, Via Christi Hospital Cancer Center or the Good Shepherd Hospice House, 3801 Vanesta Dr, Manhattan, KS.