Elzie Caywood

Elzie Ronald Caywood, 89 year-old resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died November 13, 2011 at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab. Born June 18, 1922 in Cleveland, Oklahoma, he was the son of Bruce Richard Caywood and Margaret Jane (Martin) Caywood. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Loyd and Dale Caywood, and one sister, Bernice Caywood Swicegood. Survivors include one nephew, Ron Swicegood of Colcord; three nieces, Kay Parmain of Colcord, Elaine Walker of Springdale, Arkansas, and Brenda Luper of Rogers, Arkansas, many grandnieces and grandnephews; and his extended family at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab. Elzie received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern State University, and taught school at the Sequoyah Indian School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He later pursued and completed his Doctorate in History from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. Dr. Caywood retired in 1991 from the U.S. Strategic Air command, Offit Air Base, Omaha, Nebraska, where he held a long and successful career as historian for S.A.C. His office was located at the Air Command Headquarters, but much of his career was spent flying to Air Force bases worldwide supervising historians writing the history of the U.S. Air Command. Elzie left many close friends and business associates in Nebraska when he moved “home” to Colcord, Oklahoma to live his retirement years close to the family he loved. He was very proud of his Indian heritage. Elzie was 3/8 Cherokee blood, a member of the Cherokee Nation, and took great interest in the culture and history of the Cherokee Tribe. He collected Indian art, pottery, and wood carvings. He will be remembered as an intelligent and interesting friend, a loving son and brother, and as “Uncle Elzie” by his nephew and nieces, whom he loved as his own. A unique, kind, gentle, and loving spirit has gone home to the Lord he loved and served. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Allen Cemetery, Moseley, Oklahoma with Mr. Jim Furgason officiating. Burial will follow. Visitation will be 7:00 to 8:00, Monday, November 14, 2011 at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Tributes

Elzie Caywood

June 18, 1922 - November 13, 2011