In Loving Memory... Richard Caudle January 24, 1953 - September 10, 2002

And friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them          And a friend will not say "never" 'cause the welcome will not end          Though it's hard to let you go in the Father's hand we know          That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends  (from the song "Friends" - Michael W. Smith)    A message from Pam.....(an excerpt from a post)           Dear, dear family. Thank you so much for your wonderful words of support and sympathy.  I didn't think I had enough fluid in me to cry this much, but I just can't seem to stop. Allie has been plying me with water and Chinese food! My other daughter, Amanda, is here and so are my parents. So I am surrounded with love both physically and spatially!          I did not have Richard nearly long enough, but the time we had together was the best thing that ever happened to me - bar of course, my wonderful children! As many of you know, this was a second marriage for both Richard and me, and when I met him in 1998 I was very hesitant and scared. That was quickly dispelled as we started on our journey of love. So many people helped us along the way - you know who you are! And even if I haven't met all who write here, I know and feel your presence. Thank you.           Richard and I had been in Las Vegas for a mini vacation. We were having a wonderful time. We went swimming at the hotel, he swam a couple of laps and then he wanted to show me how you let the air out of your lungs when you want to go snorkeling. He went under and moved around a bit, and then he stopped moving. I frantically pulled him to the side and life guards, paramedics and ER personnel did their very best. But I think he was gone in that pool. His face was so relaxed and peaceful. The hospital social worker told me that was a sure sign that he had no pain and did not linger. I was able to donate many of his organs and tissue, and was told it will help as many as 50 people. Even his eyes will help someone see. This was so important to both of us.            I will have his ashes delivered sometime next week. I'm thinking of having a memorial service at a small mission church in Santa Isabel (S. Calif.) Then I will release his ashes at sea - where he was so at peace on his sailboat.....           Love is definately a wonderful thing. I will cherish that man for as long as I live, and hope to see him again....            Love,              Pam

    I want to tell you about meeting Richard for the first time...WolfPup, Manuel (my hubby) and I were sitting in the Columbine Room at the Limelight in Aspen one morning, we were sitting eating breakfast. It was the first Aspen In October in 1998, where John Denver friends from all over the world gathered in Colorado to honor his life. This guy comes up to me and says softly, "Deb?" I said, "Nope, Wolf." And then he said, "You're not Deb?" And I said, "Nope, I'm Yellowstone Wolf." He kinda looked puzzled so I asked him who Deb was. He said he was looking for SUNNYDEB (aka Deb Perry)! I laughed and told him that I wasn't she but that he would probably meet her later. We invited him to come and join us for breakfast. It seems, we found out, he wasn't even going to come to Aspen but decided to at the last minute. Richard was a very gentle, kind man. We loved him right off the bat. he told us that he didn't know anyone and he felt kinda strange, but leave it to Pup, Manuel and I to make him feel right at home. we "adopted him" the rest of our stay in Aspen. He helped lug boxes that we had brought for the auctions, he ate supper with us and even got to go to the Wheeler Opera House John Denver Tribute Concert consisting of former band members of John.  Something he thought wouldn't happen, but you know what they say...things happen for a reason. I remember when he emailed me about meeting and falling in love with Pam. I was so thrilled he had found someone to love.

    We are so very glad that he thought I was SunnyDeb that day and year after year we were so glad that Pam and he came to Aspen. Pup and I attend their wedding and both Pam and he credited us for "hooking them up." I remember 2 yrs ago when he gifted Pup and me with pix he had taken above Snowmass Mountain. I still have mine on my computer wall. They are something I will treasure forever...

    Pam, Allie, KNOW YOU ARE LOVED BY THIS WONDERFUL FAMILY.

    As someone once said..."I am so very sad that he is gone but so very glad he lived."
 
 

In Lieu of flowers, Pam has requested donations be made in Richard's name to
Garden of Angels