Richard Gail Caudill, Sr., born April 22, 1945, passed away peacefully in his home amongst family on Friday, June 26, 2026. He was 81.

Known to family and friends as “Papaw” or “Big Rich,” Richard and his wife, Louise, spent the last 61 years building a life and legacy together — a life he often joked he “conned her into” by not revealing his true age to her “until she fell for me” (being eight years her junior). Six decades, four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren later, their love bore more fruit than the then-19-year-old Navy Sailor could have ever dreamed.

A leader in word and deed, Richard spent his life in the service of others, be it to his family, his community, the church, or his country, having spent four years in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic from July 10, 1963, to July 7, 1967. Later in life, after 38 years with Miller Transporters, Inc., Richard traded his work boots for golf shoes upon his retirement in 2007, making weekly outings to various courses around Baldwin County with friends and family. He engaged himself in every charity golf event he could, even serving as Chairman of the “Tee It Up for Veterans” golf tournaments in 2024 and 2025. 

Along his faith journey, Richard was confirmed with his wife in the Catholic Church at Christ the King in Daphne, Alabama, during the Easter season of 2018. Shortly thereafter, Richard joined and made his way through the ranks of the Knights of Columbus, becoming a Fourth-Degree Knight in 2019. He was titled the “Color Core Commander” from 2021 to 2024; “Faithful Navigator” and “Faithful Purser” from 2023 to 2025; and was nominated for “Assembly Knight of the Year” in 2025 and 2026. He became fully immersed in all aspects of his faith, often making and serving breakfast after the early services or reading the Scriptures as a lector during Sunday Mass. 

A devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Richard’s presence could be counted on for every birthday, special occasion, and holiday get-together, where one could always find him first in line (and often plate in hand) ready to celebrate. Famous for his “big ole’ squishy hugs,” booming voice, and even larger personality, Richard could ignite a room with laughter through grandiose storytelling just as swiftly as he could captivate a group in pensive prayer. His love of stringed instruments and song often led visitors to his colorfully eclectic music room, many serenaded with originals played by banjo, guitar, or small electric cigar box guitar, the latter of which were handcrafted by the musician himself.

Richard is survived by his sister, Rochelle Caudill; four children, Kerry Robinson, Julie (Paul) Tuveson, Melba Hodge, and Richard (Rebecca) Caudill, II; eight grandchildren, Jenny Johnson, Jessica (Timothy) Goolsby, Jordan (Nathan) Watkins, Emily (Parker) McHaney, Sophie (Braxton) Hancock, Brady (Sha) Hodge, Abigail Caudill and Forrest Caudill; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bertha Caudill; sister, Julia Ann Caudill; and beloved wife, Elizabeth Louise Caudill. 

While we mourn his loss, we are comforted knowing he is reunited with the love of his life and secured firmly in the embrace of our Lord whom he served with all his might until his last days. His gentle strength, wisdom, devotion, and stories will live on in the lives he touched, the love he shared, and the example he set — his life a blessing, and his memory a treasure.

Richard’s funeral service will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Daphne, Alabama on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.  There will be a time of visitation In The Immaculata Center, 1601 Main in Daphne beginning at 10AM, followed by Mass at 11AM.  The Celebrant will be Rev. Matthew O’Connor. Interment will follow at Belforest Catholic Cemetery.

Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.