Dr. Joseph Madison Cauley, 76, of Lubbock, Texas passed away on Oct. 9, 2016, on the same October day, that his only son, Dr. Michael Madison Cauley, was brought into this earth.
He was born on Dec. 29, 1939 – which he would laughingly always say he got short changed after Christmas – to Dr. William Madison Cauley and Virginia Welch of Lubbock. He graduated from Monterey High School in 1958, serving as class vice president for all four years. He entered Texas Tech University in the fall of 1958 as a chemistry major and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
While at Texas Tech he meet the love of his life Jeanne Kate Cagle of Comanche, Texas, and on June 4, 1961, they were married. In the fall of that same year he was accepted to the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston, Texas, where he attended the next four years, having his son along the way on Oct. 9, 1962. He was a member of the Psi Omega Fraternity while in dental school and graduated in 1965.
Following graduation, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Captain in the 4th Army Division until 1967. After his honorable discharge he moved his wife and son to Seagraves, Texas where he started and ended his 30 year career as this great West Texas town’s only dentist. While in Seagraves he was an active member of the community, from a Lions Club member for 30 years, which he served as President, to being elected to the Seagraves School Board, which he also served as President. He was a member of the City Council, served as Police Commissioner, taught the adult bible school class at the 12th Street Church of Christ for eighteen years, served on the board of the Seagraves Loop Museum, President of the Quarter Back Club, and headed up the United Way Fund Drive. He not only served the town of Seagraves but also Gaines County, serving as Chief of Staff for a term at the Seminole Memorial Hospital and also served on the Board of Directors of Seminole National Bank.
Throughout his professional career he was a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the South Plains District Dental Association where he served on the board of directors. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, flying, and golf. Dr. Joe will mostly be remembered by his patients for rising long before sunup and being at the office by 6 a.m. every morning to take care of their needs, by his son for being his idol in every facet of life, and lastly by his wife as a man who put taking care of responsibilities to his family before all other things.
He was preceded in his death by his parents; his wife, Jeanne; and his brother, Dr. David Cauley of Lubbock. He is survived by his son, Dr. Michael Cauley of Lubbock; his brother, Dr. Steven Cauley of Statesboro, Georgia; his grandson, Tyler Cauley of Lubbock; and his granddaughter, Whitney Cauley of Austin; and his great-granddaughter, Lindsey Cauley. Lastly, a special thanks to Tina Wall – dad’s personal nurse, and Coach Leland Buck Caffey for being such a great friend, helping both my ailing mother and father out in so many ways for the last 15 years. Memorials may be mailed to: National MS Society 8111 N. Stadium Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77054, in memory of Dr. Joseph M. Cauley. An online memorial has also been set up at:http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Events/TXHChapter?pxfid=496288&fr_id=7467&pg=fund
