Dr. Caldwell James Gaffney Sr. was born to George Edward Gaffney and Bertha Caldwell Gaffney on March 18, 1922 in Columbia, South Carolina. His loving wife of 66 years, Marie “Weebie” Louise Thomas Gaffney, preceded him in death on June 15, 2016. He was the last surviving sibling of five in his beloved family.
Caldwell had a lively spirit and a humbled heart; he was known as “Dad” to many. He was a passionate physician and a patient, kind and wise man with a zest for life. As if his career was not enough to keep him busy, Caldwell also had a passion for performing. He enjoyed singing and acting to an attentive audience, reciting poetry to a listening ear, and dancing with a willing partner. Hand Caldwell a microphone and you were guaranteed a one-man show.
His love for entertaining was nourished as a child by his family who appreciated the arts. His eldest brother, George, was a gifted artist/poet/writer, while his younger brother, Floyd, was a professor emeritus for the Theatre and Dance Department at the University of California, San Diego.
Caldwell attended and graduated from Fisk University, earning his undergraduate degree, and from Meharry Medical College earning his medical degree. Shortly after medical school, Caldwell served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, and was stationed in Korea.
After serving in the military, he moved to St. Louis, where he practiced medicine. There he met the love of his life, Weebie, married, started his private medical practice, and helped raise his four children. Caldwell was elected chief of Surgery and chairman, of the Surgical Department at Central Medical Center in St. Louis. He was an active member of numerous medical organizations and surgical boards throughout his career.
During his many years of practice, Caldwell was adored by his patients and treated each one as if they were family. He was so committed to providing excellent medical service to his community that he made house calls to his bedridden patients. After 40 years of dedicated medical service, Caldwell laid down his stethoscope. In 2004, he and Weebie relocated to Bowie, Maryland to be near their children and grandchildren.
Caldwell was an excellent physician, but he was an even better husband and father. After God, Caldwell’s family always came first. He was a dedicated husband to his loving wife, Weebie, and a role model father to his children, nieces and many others who looked to him for advice or a lively discussion. Caldwell’s achievements and blessings resulted from his strong faith and belief that service to others brings prosperity and happiness.
During his later years, he spent much of his time memorizing poems, teaching himself new piano pieces, singing karaoke, preparing for choir rehearsals, and working out at the gym. While grieving the loss of his beloved Weebie, Caldwell slipped away peacefully in his sleep on September 8, 2016, and now rests in the loving arms of God where he is joined with his soul mate once again.
Caldwell was predeceased by his loving wife, Marie Louise Gaffney. He is survived by: his loving children, Cynthia Jennings (Bernard), Caldwell Gaffney Jr., Carla Bristol (Stanley), Carmen St. Paul (Roland), Shelley Johnson; six grandchildren, Erika, Caldwell III, Chancellor, Brandon, Marcus and Simone; great grandson, Donovan; his sister-in-law, Yvonne Gaffney, and his many nieces and nephews.
