JONES, OK—SEPTEMBER 30, 2018—A memorial service for longtime Oklahoma horseman John Lee Caldwell, better known to many as "Fat John", will be held at Remington Park Racetrack on Track North at 1:30 PM on Tuesday (Oct. 2). John passed from this life on Saturday (Sept. 29).

A celebration of John's life with refreshments at the IOOF Lodge (7 ˝ miles east of I-35 on Britton road, just East of the intersection of Britton Road and Hiawassee) in Jones, Oklahoma will be held immediately following the services and all his friends are invited to come and visit with the family and share in telling stories of Johns adventures.

Joh was born September 7, 1959 in Woodward Oklahoma. As a youngster he helped his grandpa Troy Phillips work the farm and auction barn. He loved helping people. He moved to Dodge City, Kansas during his teen years to work at the racetrack and live with the Esquibel family.

Thirty-seven years ago John met and married Robbin Greene and they were married, pursuing a life at the racetrack throughout the rest of his life. They have two daughters, Lynzie Schindler and Tana Caldwell and three grandchildren.

John traveled across the country working at many race tracks as a header on the gate crew, as a groom, or as a vet tech for many years before settling in Jones, Oklahoma where he worked at the track and often could be found helping Robbin in the tack shop.

If he was with a horse he was happy. He loved taking his girls to all their activities, and cheered for all the other kids too. He lived to train great horses, whether it was at the top racehorses that were difficult to handle or the priceless roping horses for which he turned down blank checks many times as he wasn't willing to part with them.

His grandchildren Blaine and Kynzie have kept him busy and on his toes attending their rodeos, talent shows, pig shows and ball games in recent years, and he was so excited for the arrival of his newest grandson Racey.

All the kids knew Papa John as he would always smile and cheer them on telling them they were doing a great job. Whether it was the racetrack, roping pen, a sporting event, rodeo arena, or auction barn, John would tell stories and make people smile with his "HELLO" that we all know and will miss.

Arrangements are handled by Hibbs Funeral Home in Choctaw. For more information regarding the services or to contribute to the celebration of life reception contact Krissy Bamberg (405) 623-3234.