Robert “Bob” Jackson Caulton
October 1, 1925 ~ February 11, 2021
Bob Caulton was born in San Francisco, California, and raised in Modesto, California. He was an only child and grew up working the family nursery, Stanislaus Nursery on Carver and Highway 99. He enlisted into the United States Navy right out of high school for two years where he was stationed in New Guinea as a radioman. During his service, he became proficient in Morse Code and received the telegraph message of President Roosevelt’s death. He was honorably discharged in May 1946.
After he returned home, he proceeded to stay in Modesto where he met and married Lu Ellen Morrison on March 17, 1951. Next month would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.
In 1952 they had their first child, a little girl they named DeVon Lynn Caulton. Two years later they decided to build their “forever” home on Thomas Avenue in Ceres. The next five years gave them two more children, two boys, Dewayne Jay Caulton (1955) and Dwight Neal Caulton (1959).
Bob was incredibly involved within the community. He was a member of the Ceres Lions Club from March 1966 to present and acted as secretary for 37 years. He received the Lions Club Humanitarian Service Award, giving him a lifetime membership. He enjoyed the camaraderie and loved giving back to his community. He was also on the Stanislaus Mosquito Abatement Board for 37 years and served as president of the Tuolumne River Lodge.
Bob was very tech savvy. He worked for a few electronics stores as a radio repair man and when TVs came out, he repaired those as well. He enjoyed it so much that in 1971 he opened his own shop, Bob’s TV Repair. He ran his shop for 20 years and officially retired in May of 1991. He never left the tech world. At the age of 88, he made a trip to Costco and purchased his first smart phone. He became the proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy S4 where he had it up until the day he passed away. He absolutely loved to Skype and see his grandbabies and text family almost every day.
Woodworking was another talent of his. He could build anything. If he wasn’t at his desk on his computer, he was in his shop making all kinds of things. He made sure to leave behind enough furniture, birdhouses, trucks, tractors and trains for everyone he loved to cherish in their homes for years to come.
Spending time with family was extremely important to him. Many summers were spent on road trips with his wife and three children, exploring the United States. He made sure to pass on his sense of adventure. The continued camping, crabbing, and fishing trips that are still taken to this day is proof of that. Whether you knew him as Bob, Dad, Uncle or Papa, you knew family meant absolutely everything to him. He will be forever missed.
Bob is survived by wife, Lu Ellen Caulton; daughter DeVon Martell (Rudy), son Dewayne Caulton, son Dwight Caulton (Lenora); his grandchildren, Jason Martell (Marcy), Bret Martell, Rebecca Leam (Chad), Robert Caulton (Ana), Delene Kvasnicka (Wes) and Andy Caulton; and great-grandchildren, Ryan Martell, Freya Martell, Hailey Martell, Odin Martell, Mason Caulton, Easton Leam and Caden Leam.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ceres Lions Club Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 562, Ceres CA 95307.
– Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021
