Michael Lee Caudill

1970 - 2022

Michael Lee Caudill

April 14, 1970 - August 11, 2022

Michael Lee Caudill, 52, of Roanoke, Va., passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2022, following a hard-fought battle against cancer.

Mike was born on April 14, 1970, in Roanoke, Va., to Roxana (Stoots) Caudill and David Lee Caudill. After graduating Cave Spring High School in 1988, Mike went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications from Roanoke College in 1992. Mike quickly found a love and passion for the Culinary Arts â€" graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) of New York in 2001.

After graduating from the CIA, Mike continued to pursue his culinary passion as a chef in notable locations, including the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas Virgin Islands, and Frankie Rowlands of Roanoke. In 2006 Mike opened and served as Chef and Co-Owner of "Table 50" in downtown Roanoke, as well as "First and Sixth." Mike generously shared his culinary passion with others in the kitchens of the various restaurants, as well as within the classroom â€" where he served as an Adjunct Professor of Culinary Arts at the Culinary School of Western Virginia.

Mike was devoted to his much-loved daughter, Grace. He embraced life to its fullest â€" always with a twinkle in his eye, a sharp wit, and a joke to make you laugh. Mike never "met a stranger," he lit up the room as soon as he entered, was always there to lift-up and help a friend and gave any and every dog a pat on the head, a belly rub, and a scratch behind the ears.

Outside of the kitchen, you could find Mike in the outdoors either cheering on Grace in her horse competitions, enjoying a float down a river in his kayak, attending a concert, or hear him yelling at "his" Washington Football Team.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughter, Grace Caudill; brother, Scott Caudill (Lori); nieces, Morgan Foster (John) and Kate Caudill; nephew, Billy Caudill; stepmother, Cynthia Caudill; uncle, Alvin Caudill; aunt, Bonnie Caudill; cousins, Anthony Caudill and Tim Caudill; lifelong best-friend, Walt Kay; partner in life, Jennifer Kenning; his Table 50 family, and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Table 50, 309 Market Street, SE, Roanoke, VA 24011, on Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the American Cancer Society in Mike's honor at: Http://donate.cancer.org. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.Oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service â€" South Chapel, Roanoke, Va., (540) 989-3131.