Pearl (Judy) Jank Caldwell

February 22, 1924 – June 19, 2026

Pearl Jank Caldwell, a former US Army officer, registered nurse, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mentor to many, and friend to all – passed away peacefully in Santa Rosa Beach Florida on June 19, 2026, with her loved ones at her side. She was preceded in death by her sister, Iona Berger, and brothers John Jank and Alton Jank. Judy leaves her brother, Allan Jank, her sons John Williamson Caldwell IV and wife Marjorie McMeans Caldwell, James Perrin Caldwell, and wife Jana Mason Caldwell, grandsons John (Will) Williamson Caldwell V and wife Savannah Alaine Caldwell, Jackson McMeans Caldwell, great granddaughter Anniebelle Alaine Caldwell, many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to list here. Her impact on their lives was astounding.

Judy was born to John G. Jank, and Julianna Jank, a second-generation German American couple, in a farmhouse in Goliad County Texas. Her father and grandfather raised livestock and grew fruit and vegetables which they sold to local merchants. With 5 children in the house, everyone had a job to do, especially during the great depression. She attended school at Kilgore community, traveling to and from by horseback. Later she attended Goliad high school. After graduation, Judy went to work for a doctor in Pana Maria, Texas. It was there, with encouragement from the doctor, that she set her sights on nursing school. She graduated from the Santa Rosa school of nursing in San Antonio, Texas. She was a popular student and her friends and fellow students decided that her given name did not suit her.

Everyone put names in a hat, and she drew the name “Judy”. She went by that name for the rest of her life.

Judy accepted a position as a US government contract nurse in the Panama Canal Zone, which was a tremendous experience for a ranch girl from South Texas. When she returned to Texas, she received an officer’s commission in the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. While working at the hospital, she met future husband John W. Caldwell, a US Army Air Corps fighter pilot, who was recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty. They fell in love, but the army had different plans for Judy. Because of her fluency in the German language, she was transferred to the US Army hospital in Munich Germany. Their wedding plans would have to wait. Judy served as a pediatric nurse there, and quickly became the liaison between the hospital administration, and the large number of German national employees at the hospital. Many of the German families in the city were in bad shape post WWII, and Judy made it her mission to help them. She succeeded in that endeavor, and her exposure to their terrible situation was imprinted on her forever. She spent the rest of her life helping others.

Judy returned from Germany and was honorably discharged from the Army. She and John were married in Biloxi Mississippi on May 15, 1950. They had their first son in Tennessee in 1951. John volunteered for service in Korea as a helicopter pilot, performing air-sea rescue missions. Upon his safe return, they set about their military career with stops in Florida, where their second son was born, Washington DC, California, Hawaii, and Texas.

In 1970, after her husband retired from the US Air Force, they bought their first home in New Braunfels, Texas. Judy went to work at the local hospital there, and later for Dr. Harold Holtman, at his office. Judy divided her time between work, and taking care of her family, including her elderly parents.

In 1985 Judy and John retired to Goliad County on acreage her family had owned for over 100 years. They raised longhorn cattle, and became active in Goliad community affairs, and churches. They were instrumental in growing the Republican party and established the first Republican primary there. Judy’s ranch was close to many old friends and relatives, and she had a great time. They attended many Air Force reunions and traveled frequently. In 1990 they took a trip back to Hawaii on their 40th wedding anniversary to visit friends and had a wonderful time. Judy really loved Hawaii! In 2019 Judy and John moved to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida to live at the beach with their son Jim. They were a short golf cart ride to the community of Seaside, where they made many new friends, and had a great time at Modica Market. Judy celebrated her last 4 birthdays with the Modica Market owners and staff. We can’t thank them enough for their kindness. Everyone in Florida was kind to Judy.

Our family wishes to thank Judy’s caregivers and friends for making her late years so enjoyable. Her best friend, niece Jill Wiggins and her husband Terrell, Charles and Carmel Modica, Melanie Scicluna, Stacy Webb, the staff at Watercrest Senior Living, and especially her hospice staff. 

Judy was laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors on June 29, 2026, beside her husband Lt. Col. John W. Caldwell, surrounded be heroes. Judy was our hero.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation.