Maurice Allen Caudill died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospital, Reno, at the age of 90. Maurice was born in Watsonville, Calif., on Oct. 18, 1922, to Theodore David Caudill and Ivy Blanche Guinn. He lived most of his youth in the San Joaquin Valley. He married his grade school sweetheart, Charlotte Leonhardt, on Oct. 19, 1941, in Tuolumne, Calif. Maurice dropped out of school at a young age to help take care of his family, but always dreamed of going back and earning his diploma. That dream was realized 50 years later when he graduated from Washoe High School as valedictorian at the age of 68 in June of 1991. Together with his wife Charlotte, he served as an Assembly of God ordained minister for over 50 years, pioneering five churches, one in Winnemucca and Elko, and serving as the Nevada Sectional Presbyter for 20 years and later serving as the Executive Presbyter. In 1983, Maurice retired from full-time ministry and continued attending Valley View Christian Fellowship (formerly South Hills Christian Assembly of God, the last church he pioneered). Maurice drove school bus for Washoe County School District for 13 years, retiring in 2000 at the age of 79. All of the children who rode on his school bus called him Grandpa; he loved every one of them and as much as he missed driving school bus, it always made him happy to see a former student who remembered him. In grateful spirit of his love and dedication to our youth, the Washoe County School District named the Maurice Caudill Elementary School Soccer League in his honor. Maurice is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Charlotte (Leonhardt) Caudill; his children, Naomi Gusman, Dean (Stella) Caudill, Jaci (Carl) Hall, Nina Caudill and Greg (Char) Caudill; his sisters, Beryl Croslow and Belva Gilton (Richard Santos); his brother, Dale (La Verne) Caudill; 16 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings, his son Lynn, several grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, Brandon Brown. Maurice Caudill's purpose in life was spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, encouraging the broken hearted and rejoicing with the saints by feeding the body and the soul. The "Reason for the Season" is to celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, His birth and spreading of the Gospel. Please continue celebrating with your family and friends during this season and we will enjoy a time with you in a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Capital Christian Center, 1600 Snyder Ave., Carson City, NV 89701. All monetary gifts will be donated to missions in Maurice's honor. For details on how to send a gift in honor of Maurice, please send an email to inmemoryofmauricecaudill@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]
