SSgt. Orale Udale "Buddy" Caffey

Orale Udale "Buddy" Caffey, 92, of Temple, Texas, passed from this life on November 20, 2012, at a Temple Hospital. Services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 24, 2012, at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple. A visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 23, 2012, at the funeral home.

Buddy was born in Thorndale, Texas, to the late James Arthur and Bessie Idell Rolan Caffey. He married Dauneta Wright in 1942 and had one son, Ricky Caffey. Buddy served as a Staff Sergeant in the 9th Air Service Command in the 317 Service Group in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1939 until World War II ended in 1946. His unit repaired airplanes that transported paratroopers and supplies. His unit was initially stationed in England, travelling through France, and finally being stationed near Berlin, Germany. After World War II, Buddy was proud to work for Sante Fe Railway until he retired in 1980. He was a 56-year member of the Elks Lodge in Temple and was instrumental in acquiring the current building in which the Elks Lodge resides. He was also an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 820 in Temple, Texas. Buddy enjoyed bird hunting, especially quail and pheasant hunting, and training his bird dogs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dauneta; sister, Noveline Curry; and a brother, Dean Caffey.

He is survived by son, Ricky Caffey and wife, Sherry, of Temple; grandchildren, Kelly Erdman, Kyle Caffey, and Joshua Caffey; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Alton Caffey and Byron Caffey; and many other relatives and friends. HTT...Y10