Victoria "Vicki" J. Caldwell

Victoria J. ‘Vicki’ Caldwell

August 1, 1945 ~ June 20, 2015

Vicki Caldwell passed away on June 20, 2015 at her home in Montrose, Colorado.  Vicki was born on August 1, 1945, in Dalton, Georgia, to J.W. and Evelyn Moreland and graduated from Cartersville High School in 1963.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts degree from Oklahoma State University.

After graduation, Vicki spent many years as a secondary school teacher in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Kansas; she also served as editor for theses and dissertations at Oklahoma State University and served on the faculty in the English Department at Oklahoma State University in which she taught English as a Second Language and Languages of the World.  In 1983, Vicki joined her husband, Steve, in a unique private practice featuring psychotherapy and educational counseling; they successfully committed themselves to this joint venture until their retirement in 1995 and moved to their beautiful mountain retreat in Ouray, Colorado.

Vicki was a member of many service organizations over her long career, and she continued her community service well into retirement.  She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, numerous educational associations, the Woman’s Club of Ouray County, the Ouray County Arts Association, the Ouray County Performing Arts Guild, and other philanthropic causes.  Reaching out to help others was a driving force in Vicki’s life.

Commitment to and love of family was Vicki’s most important goal in life.  Vicki was preceded in death by her father, J.W. Moreland; her mother, Evelyn B. Moreland; and her granddaughter, Jenna Marie Barrett.  She is survived by her beloved husband, Steve, of their Montrose home.  Surviving children include her daughter and husband, Marie and Roland Barrett of Norman, OK; stepson and wife, Kevin and Stephanie Caldwell of Henryetta, OK; stepdaughter Annelise Caldwell of Canton, TX; and stepson Tim Caldwell of Oklahoma City, OK.  Vicki was blessed by seven precious grandchildren who will remain the “lights of her life”; they include Emily Barrett of Denver, CO; Ben and Jessie Barrett of Norman, OK; Cody Caldwell of Henryetta, OK; Breana Moyers of Canton, TX; Xander Rich of Canton, TX; and Natasha Caldwell of Oklahoma City, OK.

Memorial contributions may be made in Vicki’s memory to the HopeWest Hospice, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO. 81402.  Vicki believed strongly in the following life lesson: “A Ray of Love is what we all need – to give it and to receive it – so let Love shine and shine and shine – in me and on you, in you and on me!”  Vicki’s closing quote for her life: “When the power of love exceeds the love of Power, then this world will finally know PEACE!!!!”

A celebration of Vicki’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel.  The service will conclude at the chapel, with a reception to follow.  Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado is assisting the family.