Born a son of the state of Kentucky, Earl Cauley served in the US Army as a Scout, during World War II, and he returned from the war, to spend his entire adult life, 67-years, in King City. He married Dorothy Terrel, a local girl, whom he first met on the dance-floor as their story goes. As Dorothy (Mom) told it, "When I first saw him I did not want to dance with him...." His southern accent was much more pronounced in those days, and "Dot" was from Colorado after all. But he kept after her, and with a good dose of the charm and humor he was famous for, he persuaded her to dance. And dance they did until her death in 2001. Now, 13 years later, Earl Cauley has passed away; early in the morning on New Year's Day 2014.

Earl lived a life devoted chiefly to other people and to community service in King City, Southern Monterey County, VFW Post #6747, and to the troops at Fort Hunter-Liggett, for over 6 decades. The number of awards and citations, certificates, declarations, honorary medals, plaques, military coins, ribbons, and letters of gratitude are far too many and diverse to enumerate here. You could just say, he was as busy as a coon-dog on Groundhog Day.

Many remember Earl from his many years at Keefer's Restaurant/Inn as Manager. Although, he had started his post-war career in King City driving a tractor plowing fields. He worked at one time or another as: a taxi-driver, a milkman for King City Creamery, a grocery clerk for Tri's Foodliner and for Fairway, and a bartender at the Top Hat and for Keefer's. He invested his spare time largely into the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post as Post Commander, Adjutant, Treasurer, and all-around event organizer as a Life-Time Member. He also became a liaison between King City and the US Army.

At Fort Hunter-Liggett he was well known, and affectionately called "Mr. King City". He was, in his later years, named Citizen of the Year, Friend of the Community, and Grand Marshall of a parade or two. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors even recognized him for his service and dedication. Earl loved the people of King City, the ranchers and business folk of the area, especially the men and women soldiers of Fort Hunter Liggett… and the people loved Earl back.

On behalf of the Cauley family, we express our deepest thanks to you who loved, cared, and supported him in the spirit of a truly American small town.

GRAVESIDE SERVICES:

Services will be held on January 7, 2014 at 11:00 AM at King City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to the "Wounded Warrior Project" at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.