In Loving Memory of Johnny Caldwell – KRTN Enchanted Air Radio

Johnny Caldwell went to join the angels on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021. He was known and loved by many as a friendly, gregarious man who never knew a stranger. He leaves behind his wife of nearly 60 years, Judy and their children, Diane (Brian) of Mayflower, Arkansas; Jennifer (Pedro) of Los Angeles, California; James, (Maria), of Springer ,NM; Jon (Kerry) of Las Cruces, NM; Janine of Albuquerque, NM; Paul (Norma) of Springer, NM; and Shelly (Moses) of Clayton, NM; along with 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many hundreds of friends, relatives and acquaintances who knew him to be a kind man who never failed to tell a good story. He is also survived by his brother, Fred, of San Antonio, Texas.

Johnny was born in Springer, New Mexico in what was the town jail where his father and mother resided as town Marshall and family. He often said that he knew his birthplace would become a museum. His family was a large one. Though growing up was difficult during the Great Depression, there were many times when the menu consisted only of the rabbits and ducks that Johnny and his brother Ray brought home from their frequent hunting trips.

Johnny had many talents and worked as a cowboy including a stint on a dude ranch in upstate New York, along with his longtime friend, Leroy Webb. After a stint in the USMC he became a printer, working for Ed Guthman at the Springer Tribune Press in Springer and later at South Park Press in Huntington Park, CA. Later he would get the bug for retail when he worked for his father-in-law, Jim Monett, in his stores in Taos, NM and Canon City, CO. With a little savings and a massive amount of help from longtime friends, he opened “The Rack”, a clothing and shoe store in Springer and later the Handi Way Market which is still operating under the ownership of his son James.

Johnny never met a stranger. He would always ask, “where are you from?” and proceed to find out if that person knew someone he knew from whatever area they might mention. He knew many thousands of people over the years, especially people who came into the Handi Way, many of them coming back over and over from far away places and just stopping to visit with the friendly proprietor. If there ever was a business built on personality, the Handi Way was it.

Johnny also served two terms on the Springer town board of Trustees obtaining the honor of “Certified Municipal Official” from the New Mexico Municipal League, Municipal Officials Leadership Institute. He was proud of his service to his community and never stopped working for the place of his birth.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday June 12, at Handi Way Market in Springer at 2:00 pm. We invite all of Johnny’s family and friends to join us. Bring a Johnny Caldwell story.

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