Ray Forest Caudle

Ray Forest Caudle, 87, of Asheville, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at Laurels of Summit Ridge after a brief illness. Born in Henderson County to the late Zebulon Vance, Sr. and Alice Odessa Case Caudle, he was a veteran of the US Air Force. He had retired from the Eastern Aerial Photolab with the US Department of Agriculture, and since the mid 1970s had owned and operated R-Jam Surplus Sales in Biltmore. His hobbies included semi-professional photography, going to auctions, conversations with family and friends, and eating ice cream. He never met a stranger. Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers, Wade, John Wesley and Guy Caudle and sister, Peggy Sherlin. Survivors include his wife, Jean Fox Caudle; son, Alan Caudle (Donna) of Arden; daughter, Melanie Pitrolo (John) of Asheville; four grandchildren, Nicole Davis (Rex), Savannah Caudle, Benjamin and Elisabeth Pitrolo; one great grandchild, Gabriel Davis; brother, Zebulon Vance Caudle, Jr. (Marge); sister-in-law, Faye Caudle, and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. A funeral service will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road. Rev. Kerry Purselle will officiate and burial will follow at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, with military honors. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.