Obituary of Braden Michael Caldwell

Braden Michael Caldwell, 16, passed away suddenly in a car accident in Boise on Sunday evening, June 12th, 2022. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 5pm at Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel, 3629 E.Ustick Rd. A viewing will follow from 6-8pm. A funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 17, 2022 at Holy Apostles Catholic Church. A reception will follow. 

Braden was born on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 in Boise, Idaho to Mike and Amy Caldwell. Braden went to elementary school at St. Marks Catholic School (K-5) in Boise, Idaho and St. Ignatius Catholic School (6-8) in Meridian, Idaho. Prior to his untimely death, Braden completed his freshmen and sophomore years at Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho. 

Braden was an incredibly active young man that had more hobbies, interests and outdoor pursuits than his parents could keep up with. He loved fishing, hunting, mountain biking, skiing, photography and playing tennis among many other things. Braden was always up for an outdoor adventure and was always eager to learn and try new things. In the last few years alone, Braden experienced epic outdoor adventures with his family including a seven day rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, Hawaiian trips to the Islands of Kauai and Maui, and has explored many National Parks including Yellowstone dozens of times, Glacier National Park, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Grand Staircase Escalante and Capitol Reef National Park. Braden and his buddy Henry recently spent a week during spring break mountain biking in Moab Utah and Skiing at Alta Utah. Dozens and dozens of fishing adventures, camping trips, archery hunts, ski trips, mountain bike rides and spinning donuts in the snow in the LDS Church Parking lot filled the gaps between the bigger outdoor adventures. Braden was very active on the Bishop Kelly Mountain Bike and Ski Teams and was elected as the JV Tennis Team Captain his Freshman and Sophomore Years. Braden loved music, especially good music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Led Zeppelin being his favorite band of all time.

Braden was an old soul that enjoyed authentic conversations and being present with family and friends. He enjoyed working at his friends ranch and helping with cattle work and made countless memories in Island Park, Idaho with grandparents and the rest of his family. Braden was a friend to all who knew him and his quick wit and perfectly timed sense of humor was a joy to be around. He was never short of a quick witted response when bantering with friends, family and his teachers. He especially loved to entertain his two sisters and they were never shy of egging him on. Braden provided illumination and joy everywhere he went and lived a “Do Good” mantra in everything he did. 

Braden is preceded in death by his favorite Black Lab, Miley Sage; Grandmother, Linda Dabel; Great Uncle Myron Tarrant; Great Grandparents, Hartson and Margie Van Houten, Ralph and Yvonne Tarrant, Birdie Barkdull, and Monte and Pat Rowberry. He is survived by his two amazing sisters, Ashton and Saige Caldwell; his parents, Amy and Mike Caldwell; Grandparents, Lee and Yvette Van Houten; and many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. 

Braden will be forever missed by his entire family, friends, St. Mark’s and St. Ignatius communities, and the entire Bishop Kelly High School community. The many wonderful stories, fond memories, laughs and smiles provided by Braden will live on in our hearts and minds forever and his impact and influence on others will survive for an eternity.  As an organ donor, Braden also lives on through his gift of life to others in need of medical support. Braden is in the embrace of God surrounded by his endless love and is in the good company of other relatives and friends that have passed before him. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Braden’s name to the Bishop Kelly Foundation Scholarship Fund. To donate online, go to bishopkellyfoundation.org,  click “donate online” at the top of the page, and include “Braden Caldwell Memorial Scholarship” in the comments.. Donations can also be sent in the mail to the Bishop Kelly Foundation at 7009 Franklin Rd., Boise, ID 83709.