Indiana Horse Rescue President and co-founder Anthony “Tony” Ray Caldwell PhD died early December 8 from natural causes. He was 54.

Born August 14, 1959, in Bloomington, Indiana, Tony was a hard worker, whether it was his father’s grocery, law enforcement, racing funny cars, running a computer store, establishing the Indiana Horse Rescue in 1998 to prevent the unnecessary slaughter, abuse, and neglect of horses here in Indiana, and then helping them join forces with Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. in 2002, and becoming their President, and most recently founding and directing the Amends Batterer Intervention Program, and participating on the Vanderburgh County Domestic Violence task force. Tony contributed much to his community, and received many awards and recognitions.

Tony demonstrated a brilliant mind, inventing an equine medicine and medical processes and running numerous successful businesses. He was a man of deep convictions and compassion, who followed the teachings of Christ. He was the quintessential family man of integrity.

He is survived by his wife, Kelsey and two daughters, Katelynn and Kourtney; his previous wife, Kathryn Caldwell; mother, Vietta Lee; father, Jason Hillenburg; sister, Kim (Terry) Moore; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Caldwell.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM on Friday, December 13, 2013 at Colvin Funeral Home, Princeton, IN. Burial will follow at Columbia White Church Cemetery in Princeton.

Visitation will be from 10 AM until service time on Friday at the funeral home.