Judd Franklin Frank Cale
Augusta Springs, VA
Judd Franklin "Frank" Cale, 79, of Augusta Springs passed away in his home with his devoted and loving family on September 16, 2012.
He was born on December 20, 1932, in Augusta Springs, Virginia, a son of Gratton Franklin Cale and Margie Mae Campbell Cale.
Frank graduated from Craigsville High School in 1951. He attended Bridgewater College and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He attained AT1 First Class Petty Officer in four years. During his enlistment, he met the "love of his life", Jane Ellen Welcher. They married on December 29, 1956. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy in February 1957 and returned to the family farm that he loved. Frank began working on the family farm, as soon as he was old enough. He ran the family sawmill at thirteen years old. He would do chores on the farm and then ride the train from Augusta Springs to Craigsville to attend school. During Frank\u0027s work career, he was employed by Lehigh Portland Cement Plant in Craigsville, General Electric in Waynesboro, and General Cable in Buena Vista. Frank retired from Reynolds Metals in 1995. Frank worked on the family farm with his father until his passing in 1991 and then continued to farm and log timber throughout his life at both the Augusta and Rockbridge County farms. In 1970, he was instrumental in founding the Craigsville-Augusta Springs First Aid Crew with his good friend, Mr. Edwin Strange. Frank served for many years as a CPR instructor and Captain of the squad. He was awarded a lifetime member in 2004. Frank was also a member of the American Legion Post 13. Mr. Cale attended the United Methodist Church as a small boy and was a member for over 60 years. He served as Sunday School Teacher, Lay Speaker, and Lay Leader, and held numerous other offices over the years. He was a member of the St. Paul\u0027s United Methodist Men\u0027s Fellowship group and served as an active member of the Gideons for 13 years. Frank attributes his love of the Lord to his dear mother who prayed for him his whole life until her passing.
Frank\u0027s other "love of his life" was motorcycle riding. He never met a stranger and has never been at a loss for words. He loved to tell stories and listen to good ones, too. He loved people and enjoyed helping others. He tried to see the good in people and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. He had an amazing ability to forgive others. He loved to talk to others about God and what God had done for him in his life. He was very patriotic. He had tremendous respect and appreciation for veterans, particularly those that served in World War II. Frank\u0027s life was a gift and a blessing to many and one of great service to his community. Few men ever truly know why God placed them on this earth, but in looking at Frank\u0027s life, it is easy to see that he was here so we would all have someone to call friend, look up to and respect, not only for his stature and his wisdom, but for the kind of man he was and the influence he had on others.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only son, Judd Franklin Tink Cale II and his special dog "Pepper".
Frank is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jane Welcher Cale; his two daughters, Cheryl Cale Miller of Roanoke and Deborah Cale Boyers of Augusta Springs; a son-in-law, Russell D. Boyers; three grandchildren, Sarah Miller Spence and husband Caleb of Staunton, Candace April Fridley of Charlottesville, and Brandon Franklin Cook of Verona; two great grandsons, Samuel Dean Spence and Eli Scott Spence of Staunton; a sister, Ruby Cale Pulliam of Verona; and special nephews, Franklin Anthony Stephenson of Augusta Springs and Randy D. Robertson of Craigsville; a special sister-in-law, Elsie Robertson of Craigsville; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Juanita and William Wilcher; and his life-long best friend, Lonzie "Woody" Fridley of Lake City, Florida.
A celebration of his life will be conducted on Wednesday September 19 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul\u0027s United Methodist Church in Craigsville by Reverends Harley Bender, Homer Frazier, and Ryan Schaeffer.
Burial will follow in the Miller Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery in Augusta Springs.
Active pallbearers will be John McCutcheon Tuttle, James Johnson, Sr., Dave Maul, Donald Minter, Franklin Anthony Stephenson, Lewis Corbin, Miles Hazlett, and Don Bosserman.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Gideons, Craigsville-Augusta Springs First Aid Crew, St. Paul\u0027s United Methodist Men\u0027s Fellowship group, Dr. Kerry Alexander, Arvil Welcher, Harold Via, Harold Bosserman, his motorcycle friends, and retirees of Reynolds Metals.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday September 18, at Coffman Funeral Home \u0026 Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, VA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, Augusta North Camp, P.O. Box 2711, Staunton, VA 24401.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.