Funeral service for Jerry Allen Caddell will be 12:30 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2017, in First Baptist Church with Dr. Robert Shippey and Dr. Patrick Latham officiating.

Arrangements are under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

Friends may greet the family from 6-8 pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Jerry Allen Caddell, 82, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2017 at the Veteran's Center in Lawton Oklahoma.

Jerry was born on July 21, 1934, in Mangum, Oklahoma, to Max Napoleon (Nap) Caddell and Winnie Potter Caddell. He graduated from Colorado City High School in Colorado City, Texas in 1952, and afterwards attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where he played varsity tennis. In 1957, he received a double major in Journalism and Broadcasting from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

He married his high-school sweetheart, Darlene Elizabeth Bobo, on October 26th, 1957. Jerry served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1952 until 1960, and was on active duty from 1957 to 1959 on Treasure Island, California.

He began his career in radio and broadcasting at KWAB-TV and KBST Radio in Big Spring, Texas, and KMOD-TV in Midland, Texas. He owned and operated KFNE-FM in Big Spring, Texas, then began and managed KLAW-FM in Lawton, Oklahoma from 1964-1970. He purchased the Muzak franchise for southwest Oklahoma in 1966 and managed it as Lawton Business Music from 1970 - 2000.

Jerry served on the board of several organizations; he was an original Redcoat for the Lawton Chamber of Commerce, president of the Lawton Tennis Association, and a member of Sertoma and Rotary International.

An active member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Lawton since 1964, he began the radio and TV ministry in 1965, sang in the sanctuary choir and on the Living Christmas Tree for over twenty years. He also found great enjoyment refereeing children's basketball for Upward Sports.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Darlene Bobo Caddell of Lawton, Oklahoma; two daughters, Cheryl (Robert) Shippey, of Gainesville, Georgia; and Brenda (Rich) Woll of Wake Forest, North Carolina; one son, Mark (Karla) Caddell of Austin, Texas; nine grandchildren: Margaret Shippey of Atlanta, Georgia; Ashley Ward of Dallas, Texas; Jaimie Ward of Kansas City, Missouri; Dakota (Shannon) Farquhar-Caddell of Blacksburg, Virginia; Benjamin Shippey of Atlanta, Georgia; Aaron Shippey of California; Laura Beth Ward of Austin, Texas; John Richard "Jack" Woll of Wake Forest, North Carolina; and Jax Caddell of Austin, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Michaela Burke of Kansas City, Missouri; and Huxlee Farquhar-Caddell of Blacksburg, Virginia; one brother, Max Caddell of Lawton, Oklahoma; sister in-law, Sandra Karnes of Columbia, Missouri, one niece, Catherine (Sam) Collins of Columbia, Missouri; five nephews, Michael (Debbie) Caddell of Moore, Oklahoma; Terry (Kelli) Bay of Fort Worth, Texas; Clifford (Jenn) Couser of Jacksonville, Florida; Dr. Christopher (Charlene) Couser of Littleton, Colorado; David (Diane) Stamper of Indiahoma, Oklahoma; and two special cousins, Esta Faye Hoffman of Burkburnett, Texas; and Pansy (Roy) Tinney of Mangum, Oklahoma. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nap Caddell, a sister, Dr. Marjorie Bay, brother-in-law, Charles Bay, niece, Nancy Bay, and brother-in-law, Dr. James Karnes.

A deep lover of his family and faith, Jerry was a dedicated friend, enthusiastic entrepreneur, avid tennis player and poignant writer. He was always eager to play tennis with his grandchildren, to discuss country music with his friends, and to watch the Baylor Bears play football and basketball.

He will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Upward Sports program at First Baptist Church, 501 SW B Avenue, Lawton, OK, 73501.