Dearest Mary Ann and family,
My heart and prayers are with each of you, as I learned of our sweet Jerry being called to his heavenly home for all eternity.  He is a dear precious friend whom I loved deeply .  You will continue in my thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come.  DeColores
With love,
Sandra Sloan



It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with Jerry on the James Webb Space Telescope. He initially worked for a company that built the beryllium mirror blanks for the telescope; mirrors that are so precise that if you took one that is 4.2 feet across and could magically make it the size of the North American continent, the difference between the highest and lowest points on that enlarged mirror would be less than half an inch! Afterwards, Jerry worked with me directly in supporting NASA’s Safety and Mission Assurance oversight of the tennis court-sized Sunshield that will protect the telescope from the Suns rays during its observations. Without this Sunshield the observatory will not work, and Jerry was there every day during the build to ensure that we built the best product possible! Even though Jerry had an amazing work ethic, what really distinguished him from so many was his character. An absolute gentleman and kind soul and someone that would do anything to help a person in need. Building a $10 billion space telescope is impressive, but nowhere near as impressive as the man that I am happy to have called my friend. When we launch in the coming year and finally have a chance to look at the heavens in detail that we’ve never been able to before, please know Jerry that you had a major hand in getting us there! 

I’d like to share a Latin phrase that means a lot to me: “Ad astra, per aspera,” which translates to, “To the stars, with great difficulties!” Outer Space is not easy, but because of people like Jerry it is possible!
The world is a sadder place with you gone, but a far-better place for you having been here.

Rest easy, my friend, and rest in peace!

Sincerely,

Joe

Jerry has been a big part of my career life here in Cullman, beginning in 1975 at Speedring's original facility.  He was my boss and friend for many decades.  He loved his beautiful wife and family and his church.  I grieve his passing but celebrate him seeing his Saviour face to face.  God bless his family.  

I knew Jerry and his brother, Tom, for that matter, for many years as a dedicated fellow Lions.  Jerry was generally quiet, but when he had something to say, he spoke up, and when he did, it was meaningful and something that needed to be said.  When I say dedicated, I really mean dedicated to his family, neighbor, and community.  The Lions Club was just one way that he was able to express his dedication.  He could always be counted on to do his part, and often more, at all our projects, and he was present at any meeting he was able to attend.  When our Club needed a President, Jerry answered the call; when our Lion’s District needed a Governor, Jerry raised his hand when no one else did.  It seems he always left a place better than when he came.  I am glad I knew him.

So sorry to hear of the passing of my great uncle Jerry Caudle, he was a good man and was always a pleasure to talk to and to be around. My condolences and heart felt sympathy to all of his family and friends...he will be missed here but is in great company in heaven.

Thanks to Lion Jerry Caudle's time in Cullman, it's a better place to work, play and live.

When I first joined the Lions Club I was assigned to Jerry to help with the hush puppy mix, which at the time Grover was the only one that knew the recipe and Grover insisted on it had to be done by hand.  Well Jerry knew at some point we needed to know the recipe so he took notes without Grover knowing and by my third year we had a recipe and was using the big stand mixer.   

OBITUARY

Jerry O'Neal Caudle

September 3, 1933 – April 15, 2020

Moss Service Funeral Home

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