Donald John Caudle – Obituary and Assessment Call

Donald John Caudle passed away in his home on July 19, 2017, at the age of 83, after a lengthy illness. He was born to Donald Claude Caudle and Annetta Moore Caudle, on February 19, 1934, at Carlton, Texas. The family lived for a short time in a half dug out home in Lubbock, then moved to the country after the family purchased a dairy farm near New Home, where John and his three brothers spent most of their growing up years. Many days of his childhood were spent hunting and scouting around on the T-Bar Ranch near his home. This was a time of great exploration and adventure as well as a source of future stories which he would share with his children and grandchildren. He loved the outdoors so much as a teen, when he was out on a date, which wasn’t very often, he couldn’t wait to get that girl home so he could go rabbit hunting. He graduated from New Home High School in 1951. After graduation, John went to work at a blacksmith shop in New Home, Texas, then began working at Reese Air Force Base running a jack hammer destroying old ammo bunkers. He gave that job up and moved to Lake Whitney when his family opened King Creek Fishing Lodge. He joined the U. S. Army in 1956, and was stationed at Fort Bliss until 1958, when he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves. He was honorably discharged from the service on June 30, 1962.

John went to work as a game warden for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and was at the Game Warden Academy from February through June of 1960. While stationed at Laredo he had a weekly radio report during the peak fishing and boating seasons as part of his public service duties, teaching the public about boating safety and regulations. He proudly served as a game warden for the state of Texas, and retired from the Department in September 1995, retiring as Bexar County Commander of Region Five after 36 years of dedicated service. After his retirement from the Parks and Wildlife Department, John went to work for Executive Outfitters as a dove hunting guide, scout, and cook, another job he loved, doing this for nineteen years. In 1997, he and his wife Lana moved back to the Lubbock area, coming full circle.

John was a wonderful carpenter, furniture builder and woodworker. He loved fishing, photography, as well as studying the flora and fauna of the great state of Texas. He loved hunting and displaying his massive collection of arrowheads, and he could tell you when and where he found just about every one of them. He loved teaching firearm safety to anyone interested in learning. He loved traveling, camping, and is known from the south plains of Texas to the Rio Grande for the many pranks he has pulled. John was a real life hero and mentor to his family. His fun loving character and easy going disposition made him a true friend for life, and he had many. As a boss he was stern, but fair. He set a good example with his love and dedication to the job, and the risks that went with it. He gained the respect and admiration of all, including the outlaws he captured and brought to justice. He was an honorable man, and the wonderful memories he left us will be treasured in our heart and minds forever.

He is survived by his wife, Lana Godwin Caudle, of Lubbock, Texas, two children, (Donald John Caudle, Jr. (DJ) and Cheryl McCartney), three stepchildren (Jim Davis, Darla Kirton, Christy Childress) and two brothers (Mack and Brodie Caudle). He was the loving grandpa to five grandchildren, ten step grandchildren, and seven step great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his daughter, April Black, and brother, Pat Caudle.

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 549
Del Valle, Texas 78617

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MUTUAL ASSOCIATION

SUBJECT:       Assessment Call: Donald John Caudle #241
DATE:             September 1, 2017
AMOUNT:      $20.00
DUE:                October 1, 2017

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Mutual Association (TPW Mutual Association) regrets to inform you of the death of one of our members, John Caudle.

John became a member of the TPW Mutual Association on September 16th, 1960. He retained his membership up until his death on July 19th, 2017. A check in the amount of $5,000 was delivered to Mrs. Lana Caudle.

An assessment in the amount of $20.00 will be necessary to bring the policy fund back into balance to have payments on hand for other members in case of death. Please make this payment by the due date listed above.

Sincerely,

Jon Purvis, Treasurer
Texas Parks & Wildlife Mutual Association

If you have any questions regarding the TPWD Mutual Association, please contact:
President:  Vacant
Vice-president: Dennis Gissell (512) 389-4407, dennis.gissell@tpwd.texas.gov
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Jon Purvis (512) 389-8193, jon.purvis@tpwd.texas.gov