Beattyville Native and Kentucky Colonel Hershel Caudell Dies at 80

Hershel W. Caudell, a lifelong presence to many in Owsley County and a Kentucky Colonel, died in Lexington on January 15 at the age of 80. His passing is felt across Beattyville, Mt. Sterling and neighboring hollers where tradespeople and family networks remain central to daily life.

Born in Owsley County on April 30, 1945, Caudell worked as a drywaller and plumber, trades that kept homes and businesses functioning across the region. He was the husband of Patricia Combs Caudell of Mt. Sterling and the son of the late Oliver and Rhoda Keller Caudell. He is survived by two sons, Bryan Caudell and Anthony Scott Caudell and wife Tiffany of Mt. Sterling; grandchildren Hunter Barkley and Andrew Barkley and wife Savannah; great-grandchildren Zayden Rodriguez and Lilith Barkley; a brother, Luther Dean Caudell and wife Betty of Beattyville; and a sister, Carrie Reed of Booneville, as well as several in-laws and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings — Herbert, Arnold, Thelma, and Tootsie.

Caudell’s work as a drywaller and plumber reflected a continuity of practical skills that sustain rural communities. In places like Big Andy Ridge and along HWY 2016, such tradespeople are part of informal care networks that shore up households when public services are limited. His death away from home in Lexington also highlights a common pattern for Owsley County residents, who frequently travel to regional centers for medical care and specialized services not available locally. That reality points to broader public health and equity concerns for the county, where access to timely medical care, transportation barriers, and the need for strong family caregiving remain pressing issues.

Visitation was held at Newnam Funeral Home Chapel in Beattyville on Tuesday, January 20, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Final interment will be at Caudell Cemetery on Big Andy Ridge, HWY 2016, Beattyville.

For neighbors and family, the loss is both personal and practical: it removes a skilled tradesman from the local labor pool while reminding the community of how care and support are organized across generations and geography. As Owsley County continues to navigate strained healthcare resources and an aging population, Caudell’s life and passing underscore the importance of bolstering local services, strengthening transportation and caregiving supports, and honoring the informal networks that keep this community resilient.