James Caldwell
Jamie was, like Laurie, a preemie by 3 months, but had no major health problems.
He came home with us at 2 months. Tamz was delighted to have a living doll to play with.
The boys, just 2½ years apart in age, grew up as both best friends and worst enemies,
switching often within seconds. Their very different personalities and skills have proven
complementary. Because Laurie had been held back at kindergarten, they were only a year apart at school.
Jamie joined Cub Scouts in first grade, at the same time as Laurie. He earned all the ranks, then crossed
over and joined Laurie in Boy Scout Troop 3. He served many leadership positions and earned many merit
badges, and in 2004 earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Jamie has a talent for singing. In addition to singing in the Doss choir, he was selected for the
Austin Children's Choir and the Austin Boy Choir. At Anderson, James sang in the varsity choir and
the MaddJazz ensemble, and toured Europe with the Texas Ambassadors of Music choir. James also
developed a love of theater at Anderson. He especially enjoyed the technical areas of sound and lights.
When Jamie was 8, he and Laurie attended the Kent Cummins Magic Camp, a day camp that teaches magic,
juggling, puppetry, and performance skills. He attended for several weeks during each of the
succeeding summers, until, at 13, he was invited to become a camp counselor-in-training, and the
next year a counselor. He was counselor for several years, then moved to a staff position.
During his time at Anderson, James was a member of the Future Teachers of America, and entered Texas
State University - San Marcos, majoring in theater and elementary education. However, after 7 semesters,
he had earned only 4 semesters of credit, and decided to leave college. Since then, James has developed
his own lighting and sound business, dabbled in jewelry making, and built and repaired balloon pumps at a
balloon-twister supply company. He is very active in the Austin magic community. He continues to be
associated with the Magic Camp. He currently works for Game Shows to Go, traveling the country.
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