[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 145 (Tuesday, December 2, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S6260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING JEFF E. CAUDILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Jeff E. Caudill--a veteran and tireless public servant who passed away 
last month at the age of 84.
  Jeff was born in a log cabin in Viper, KY, on January 20, 1930. In 
order to help support himself and his family, he began work in the coal 
mines with his father and brothers at the age of 14.
  Without a formal education past the seventh grade, Jeff decided to 
join the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his country for 22 years 
throughout both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
  After his retirement from the military, Jeff moved back to Kentucky 
where he continued his service to the community in other ways. 
Throughout London, KY, he is known as ``Santa Jeff.'' Jeff was afforded 
this nickname in part because his white beard gave him the ability to 
play the part during the Christmas season, but also because he could be 
counted on to serve his community in all seasons.
  Jeff was known to organize clothing and food drives, make hospital 
visits to the sick and elderly, and captain the Honor Guard at military 
funerals. Whatever he could do to better the lives of others, you could 
count on Jeff to deliver.
  Jeff Caudill's life of service to his country, community, and family 
set a shining example for us all to follow. Therefore, I ask that my 
U.S. Senate colleagues join me in honoring this exemplary citizen.
  The London-area publication the Sentinel-Echo recently published an 
article detailing the life of Mr. Caudill. I ask unanimous consent that 
it be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                [From the Sentinel-Echo, Nov. 17, 2014]

                            Remembering Jeff

                           (By Nita Johnson)

       One of the founding members of the Laurel-London Optimist 
     Club and ``Santa Jeff'' died suddenly at his home Friday 
     morning.
       Jeff Caudill, best known for his efforts in founding the 
     local Optimist Club and for his many years of portraying 
     Santa Claus in the annual Christmas parade, had ongoing 
     health problems. In recent years, he had suffered two strokes 
     and a heart attack as well as kidney failure. His wife 
     Shirley said Caudill had breakfast Friday morning and was 
     planning his usual daily activities when he had ``a massive 
     heart attack'' that ended his life.
       Caudill, 84, was instrumental in establishing the Laurel-
     London Optimist Club. For many years, he hosted a Halloween 
     party at his home, giving away bicycles and cooking for 
     children of all ages--the predecessor of the current Optimist 
     Club Halloween party held each year. He served as president 
     of the local organization several times including twice as 
     the Honor Club and again as vice president. He served as Lt. 
     Governor for the Kentucky-West Virginia region and was named 
     Optimist of the Year both locally and throughout the 
     district. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award 
     in 2008 for his years of dedicated service to the Optimist 
     Club.
       Caudill was also known throughout the community as ``Santa 
     Jeff'', posing with children at Walmart for yearly Christmas 
     pictures. He was hand-picked by former London-Laurel County 
     Chamber of Commerce executive director Randy Smith to portray 
     Santa Claus in the Christmas parade--a job that Caudill 
     thrived on each year. One year, however, Caudill was 
     hospitalized and was on life support and could not fulfill 
     his Santa duties.
       ``The day of the parade, he had big tears running down his 
     face,'' his wife said. ``That's the only Christmas parade he 
     ever missed, once even putting on his Santa suit 10 days 
     after having surgery.''
       In fact, Caudill had just had his Santa suit dry cleaned in 
     preparation for this year's Christmas parade. His bag was 
     already half-full of candy canes that he always gave out to 
     children.
       ``He was one of 16 children. They didn't have Christmas,'' 
     Shirley said. ``He didn't get candy or clothes or toys. 
     That's why he worked so hard to make sure other children had 
     a Christmas.''
       Caudill spent 22 years in the U.S. Army, 14 of which were 
     overseas. He served in Korea in 1947 before going to Japan a 
     year later. He was wounded during a battle but continued to 
     serve his country, moving his family to various military 
     posts across the world. After discharge, Caudill was 
     considered 100 percent disabled, but he continued to honor 
     military heroes through the Disabled American Veterans 
     organization where he served on the Color Guard and 
     participated in military funeral tributes.
       Funeral arrangements for Jeff Caudill were pending at 
     London Funeral Home at press time Friday. Burial will be held 
     at Camp Nelson in Jessamine County. The family asks that in 
     lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Jeff Caudill 
     Optimist Scholarship fund to assist local students in their 
     college costs.

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