Arthur Duane Caudill, 81

Arthur Duane Caudill, 81, of Kalispell, went to heaven to join the love of his life, Shirley, for her birthday on Sept. 12, 2018.

He was born on Sept. 5, 1937, to Russell and Lorraine Caudill in Troy where he attended school, and at the age of 17, enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Upon returning from his enlistment, he met and married his one and only true love, Shirley Rafdahl, on June 22, 1959, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. From that marriage came two sons, Michael Duane Caudill in 1962, and Brian Caudill in 1970.

Arthur was employed by W.R. Grace in Libby and later relocated to Kalispell and began working as a service writer at Roy Stanley Chevrolet, and at Plum Creek Lumber Mill as a green chain operator. He loved watching wrestling, driving stock car, and making jewelry out of deer and elk antlers.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, mother Lorraine, father Russell, sister Doreen, and brothers-in-law Bill Gibson and Fred Evans.

He is survived by is his two sons, Michael and his wife Terry of Kalispell, and Brian and his wife Lisa of Bozeman. The light of his life was his numerous grandchildren, Trevor (Jolene), Mikey (Amanda), Lisa, Brett, and Brooke. Arthur had 11 great-grandchildren, Mya, Talyn, Liam, Saniyah, Ivory, Hayden, Taeryn, Jax, Ryleigh, Kenzie and Colter. Arthur had three best friends, Patrick, Dave and his beloved fur buddy, Bongo.

He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Art’s life will be held at noon on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Darlington Cremation and Burial Service Funeral Home, 3408 U.S. Hwy. 2 East, Kalispell. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens, 2659 U.S. 93, Kalispell. A luncheon will be held at 3 p.m. in the basement at Sykes Diner, 202 2nd Ave. W., Kalispell.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Art’s family.