Previous Owners
Read MoreJason McDougal
Previous Owners
Jason and Jennifer McDougal purchased Caldwell Funeral Chapel in 2006, and Jason was the active owner and operator for over 16 years. Jennifer has a love of teaching and coaching and is currently teaching math and coaching cross country and track for the Safford Schools. She also has had a big influence on the decision-making at the Chapel. Jason and Jennifer graduated from Ricks College in Rexburg Idaho, now BYU Idaho. Jason is a graduate of Common Wealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, and Jennifer graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from Utah State University and has now taught since 2004. They have four married children, who all had the experience of working in the family business. Jason has been in the Funeral Care Industry since 1995 and is a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Cremationist. In April of 2022, Jason and Jennifer sold the funeral home to Robbie Hulme, who has an undergrad degree in business from BYU as well as an MBA from BYU. Robbie is a licensed preneed arranger and has been in the funeral business for almost 10 years.
Phone: 928-428-1740
General Manager
Read MoreChris Castro
General Manager
Chris is our lead funeral arranger and monument specialist and wants to assure that our clients get the very best service. He grew up in the Gila Valley and now has a family of his own. He loves to hunt, fish, and explore the outdoors with his family in their side-by-side. He is very involved with his kid's sports and loves to watch them compete and succeed. Chris is also a big Chicago Bears and Atlanta Braves fan. He is very talented in engraving and loves to create beautiful keepsakes for the families he works with. We are very grateful to have Chris on our team.
Phone: 928-428-1740
Office Administrator
Read MoreJayme Gauthier
Office Administrator
Jayme was raised in Tucson, AZ until her teen years when her family moved to San Manuel, AZ. She graduated from San Manuel High School in 1976 and married her high school sweetheart, Randy Lucas. They raised 3 children while she was working as an Emergency Medical Technician in the tri-community area. In 1990, Jayme and her family moved to the Safford area, settling in Artesia. After the passing of her husband Randy in 2000, she married Mike Gauthier and she then joined the Caldwell team in 2007. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children, 13 grandchildren, and 3 1/2 great-grandchildren. She and Mike are currently raising 4 of their grandchildren, from ages 10 to 18. Family is everything to her.
“I know firsthand the pain of losing a loved one and strive to help each family that we serve in any way that I can. I’ve always enjoyed helping others and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so here at McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel.”
Phone: 928-428-1740
Funeral Assistant
Read MoreRene Perea
Funeral Assistant
Rene was born in Monte Vista, Colorado. The oldest of three children raised by Randy and Julie. They spent the school years living in Morenci, Arizona, and fun filled summers in Manassa, Colorado. Rene graduated from Centauri High School and then attended Adams State College, now known as Adams State University. Rene raised her two sons in Colorado. They all enjoy the great outdoors, traveling, and being with family. In 2018 Rene relocated to the Gila Valley area. She is active in the community, volunteering with her church, & enjoys serving family & friends of the Gila Valley.
Phone: 928-428-1740
Funeral Assistant
Read MoreJosh McDougal
Funeral Assistant
Joshua was born in Cypress, Texas and raised by his parents, Jason and Jennifer McDougal, in Safford, AZ. After graduating from Thatcher High School, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Jackson Mississippi Mission. Upon returning home to Safford, Josh started dating his sweetheart, Sarah Green, while they were both attending Eastern Arizona College. They were married in the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints Gila Valley Temple on December 16th, 2017. Josh has loved serving in the funeral home for many years, and plans to be here for the rest of his life serving the people he loves in the Gila Valley. His focus in making funeral arrangements is to always put the family first. Josh has also taken part in an AP Lazer engraving course, and he will make keepsakes to remember your loved ones by. Josh will soon start Mortuary Science School to become a licensed Funeral Director.
Phone: 928-428-1740
Pre-need Counselor & Funeral Assistant
Read MoreJon Stewart
Pre-need Counselor & Funeral Assistant
Jon was born in Des Moines, Iowa the youngest of 4 siblings. After receiving his degree Jon stayed in Iowa until moving to Colorado, Texas, Maryland and then moving to the Gila Valley.
Upon arrival Jon immediately got involved and started volunteering in the local community. He joined the Lion's Club and was past President 2 years also serving on the Board of Directors, he has served on the Melvin Jones Memorial board along with serving on the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition Board and was involved in the development of the House of Hope Prevention and Resource Center. Some of the larger events he enjoys the most are Salsa Fest and Project Luke.
For his Local Community efforts Jon has been honored with various awards including the Pride of Safford award and Over 40 Under 40 award.
Jon's background includes consulting with local businesses and municipalities for their employee benefit programs, to understand and find what best fits the needs of these organizations.
This is why Jon will focus his talents on Pre-Need Insurance as well as Funeral Arrangements to help find the best offering and solutions for the needs of families and loved ones. Jon understands the importance of this type of consulting after losing his parents and also his daughter at a young age.
On a lighter side, Jon enjoys staying fit, eating healthy, the outdoors, spending time with his friends, family, his dog and of course community volunteering.
Phone: 928-428-1740
Native American Consultant
Read MoreVernon Poncho
Native American Consultant
Pastor Vernon Poncho, has been the Pastor of the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Bylas for the past 13 years and has been a pastor for over 38 years. Poncho has served in the Funeral Care Service for over 9 years and has a great love for his Native American people. He serves as a consultant for all their funeral needs.
Poncho is married to Geraldine Moses. They have one child and one grandchild, and they live in Bylas.
Phone: 928-428-1740
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Read MoreBrian Douglas
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Brian was born and raised in a small farming community of Bushnell, IL. He graduated from Bushnell-Prairie City High School then enlisted in the US Army. After an honorable discharge, Brian attended and later graduated from Southern Illinois University College of Mortuary Science in Carbondale, IL. He has been affiliated with Caldwell Chapel since 1993 and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of funeral service.
Brian is married to a Safford native, Lisa Clawson and together have three children; Hayden, Claire and Tate. Brian is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the State of Arizona. He brings years of experience and skill, and has served many of the families in the valley.
Phone: 928-428-1740
