Lester Clegg Caudle Jr.'s Obituary
Lester Clegg Caudle Jr, 91, of Albemarle, died peacefully on Wednesday evening, September 28th, 2022, at Trinity Place, in Albemarle, surrounded by family.
Born March 16th, 1931, in Albemarle, he was preceded in death by his father, Lester (Jack) Clegg Caudle Sr, mother Cordelia Caudle Crowell, wife Barbara in 2009 (married for 57 years), son Michael (Mike) in 2021, and infant son William (Bill) in 1958.
He is survived by two sons, Les 3rd and wife Lisa, of Raleigh, NC and David, of Cary, NC; three grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Tyler (husband Ben) VanSteinburgh and Oliver, Hadley, Levi and Sawyer; Brittney (husband Sean) Soderman and Harper and Emery; and Jenna Caudle, all of Raleigh, NC; Mike’s wife, Lynne, of Raleigh, and two step-grandchildren, Morgan (husband David) of Arlington, VA and Benjamin, of Raleigh.
L.C. Graduated from N.C. State, where he was active in ROTC, and chose to pursue a career as an Army Field Artillery Officer and Aviator. He proudly served on active duty for 22 years, including the Korean and Vietnam wars and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Bronze Star. He retired as a Colonel in 1975 and then spent his second career at Home Savings & Loan (now Pinnacle Bank) in Albemarle. He was an active member of the Lion’s Club and volunteered in many other efforts to serve his hometown.
L.C. loved spending time with family and many dear friends. L.C. was a member of Central United Methodist Church and enjoyed the friendship of his Sunday School class as well as singing in the choir. In his later years, he enjoyed a special friendship with Priscilla Perry that brought him much happiness. He was a man of strong faith, integrity, and generosity. He went by “Pops” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved his big hugs, his good stories, that he could talk like Donald Duck, and that he had a never-ending chocolate supply. A good day for L.C. ended with a DQ blizzard, weather update, and a phone call from family or friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of L.C. at Central United Methodist Church, 172 N. 2nd St., Albemarle, NC 28001, or Hospice of Stanly County, 960 N. 1st St., Albemarle, NC 28001. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date, officiated by Rev. Jill Rhinehart.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Spring Arbor of Albemarle and Trinity Place of Albemarle, where L.C. resided since his stroke in 2018. You were all indeed members of our family these past four years. Stanly Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.stanlyfuneralhome.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Lester?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lester?
Share a story where Lester's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lester you’ll never forget.
How did Lester make you smile?