Cecil Caudill

Worley-Luginbuel Funeral home grove, OK, (918) 786-2261 --- Cecil Wayne Caudill, age 88 died on November 19, 2014 at the Higher Call Nursing Center in Quapaw, Oklahoma. Cecil was born on March 4, 1926 in Grove, Oklahoma to Lige and Ona (Hanna) Caudill. His mother Ona, was an original enrollee on the Dawes Roll. Cecil was extremely proud of his Cherokee heritage. Caudill graduated from Grove High School, Class of 1944 and was a longtime Ridgerunner supporter. Cecil married a Jay girl, Leta Evelyn Hulsey on October 20, 1946 in the First Baptist Church of Grove, and they celebrated 50 years together before her death in 1997. He married his second wife, Betty (Phillips) Stratton in 2000. Caudill served his country during World War II, entering the war on August 21, 1944 assigned to the Navy's Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged June 1, 1946. He then served an additional 26 years in the United State Naval Reserves. Caudill was active in veterans' affairs for five decades. He was a life member of VFW Post #382, El Reno, and also the American Legion Post #34, El Reno. He served as VFW State Commander, State Chaplain, All-American Commander and Community Service Officer for veterans' issues, as well as having many VFW national appointments. Caudill was personally selected by Gov. David Walters and his successor, Gov. Frank Keating, to serve nine years on the Oklahoma War Veterans' Commission in the 1990s. Caudill retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons after 28 years, 6 months of service as the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution. He spent three years with the Canadian County Sheriff's Department in the position of Deputy Jailer. Caudill ended his working career after 11 years with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at the Darlington Game Bird Farm. Caudill was preceded in death by his wife, Leta, his parents, Lige and Ona, his brother Clyde and his sister Jewel Luttrell Witty. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Betty (Phillips) Stratton Caudill, of Miami, his sister, Janice Caudill Stevenson, Calument, his sister-in-law, Mabel Caudill, Midland, Texas, and brother-in-law, Tom Witty. He is also survived by one daughter, Carol Caudill Savage and husband, Jeff, of Grove; one granddaughter, Jillian Savage Watson and husband, Lt. Eric Watson, USCG, of Fairfax, Virginia; one grandson, Dr. Nick Savage, of Tulsa; and one great-grandson, Aidan Watson of Fairfax. He is also survived by his beloved nieces, Saundra Caudill Stalter, Ocean City, Maryland, Pam Caudill, Midland, Kim (Chuck) Gratner, Calumet, Jenny (Ken) Essenwanger, Buena Park, California, as well as his nephews, Phil (Gloria) Caudill, Midland, Ken (Brenda) Luttrell, Ponca City, and Kelly Luttrell, Grove, plus many great-nieces and great-nephews. He will be remembered as a kind step-father to Betty's children, Mike (Pam) Stratton of Bartlesville, David (Janie) Stratton of Comfort, Texas, Kathy (Larry) Spann of Grain Valley, Missouri, Cindy (Jim) Collingsworth of Indian Springs, California, and Richard (Kristi) Stratton of Tulsa, step-grandchildren, Tamra, Dawn and Sarah, and four step-great-grandchildren. Caudill was a long-time member of the First Baptist Chirch of El Reno, and also attended the First Christian Church of Miami with his wife Betty. He will be remembered for his great love of his family, his service to this community, and his service to his country. He will also be remembered as a member of the "Greatest Generation" - a true American patriot ready to serve his country at a moment's notice in their hour of greatest need. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, 711 S. Main Street, Grove, Oklahoma 74344, Burial services will follow at Olympus North Cemetery, S.E. corner of 13th Street and 640 Road, Grove, OK 74344. Visitation will be Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove, on Friday November 21, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, (904) 296-7350 or http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org , to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, (800) 272-3900, http://www.alz.org/ or the charity of your choice. Friends and family may leave online condolences by viewing Cecil's obituary at www.honoringmemories.com. Services have been entrusted to Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Grove, Oklahoma.

Visitation Details

Friday, November 21st, 2014 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home - Grove

Service Details

Saturday, November 22nd, 2014 2:00pm, Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home - Grove

Interment Details

Olympus North Cemetery