B. Michael Caudill

BEREA - B. Michael Caudill, 51, husband of Lisa Pennington Caudill of Berea died Fri Dec 21, 2007 at the UK Markey Cancer Center in Lexington KY. Mike was the Superintendent of Madison County Schools and graduate of Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University. Mike started his career with the Madison County School system as a math teacher at Foley Middle School in Berea. After teaching nine years, he became assistant principal in 1992 and principal at Foley Middle School in 1994. In the fall of 1998 Mike became the Director of District Wide Services at Madison County and then an assistant Superintendent in 2000. Mike was appointed Superintendent of Madison County Schools by the Madison County Board of Education in July 2001. This year was Michael's 25th year with the Madison County School system. In addition to his position as superintendent, Mike served on the board of directors for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Berea Chamber of Commerce. He was also an active member of several advisory boards including: EKU College Advisory Board, Chemical Destruction Citizens Advisory Board, ASAP Advisory Board for Madison County, the State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education and the Kentucky Education Distributive Cooperative. Mike was a member of the Bell South/ Schllecty Center Superintendents Leadership Network which is a network of 50 school districts from across the Southeastern United States. Mike was a member of several professional organizations including: Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, Kentucky Association of School Business Officials, Kentucky Education Association, Madison County Education Association, and Superintendents' Leadership Network. Mike also served as an Elder at First Christian Church and was a member of the Berea and Kingston Masonic Lodges. Mike's commitment to education and community earned him recognition as 2005 Educator of the Year by the National Association for Gifted and Talented Children, Berea Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, Richmond Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year, and Berea College Young Alumnus of the Year. Michael is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lisa Pennington Caudill of Berea, children; Erin (Todd) Holbrook of Berea, and son Stephen Caudill of Berea. Michael's parents also survive him Bill and Zell Davis Caudill of Vicco, KY, and his sister Lisa (Tim) Williamson of Sugarland, TX and their children Matt and Ben Williamson. Michael is also survived by his mother and father-in-law Ronald and Henrietta Pennington, brother and sister-in-law Stephen and Sally Pennington and their children Chris (Christina) Pennington, and John Pennington. Funeral services will be Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 1pm at the First Baptist Church in Richmond, KY with Dr. Ed McCurley and Rev. Bill Fort officiating. Private burial will take place afterwards in Berea Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris Pennington, Ben Williamson, John Pennington, Bunky Harkleroad, Cliff Sowell, Lon Hays, and Chris Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Staff and Board members of the Madison County Board of Education and Principals of Madison County Schools. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the UK Markey Cancer Center or "Mike's Kids" Scholarship program benefiting Madison County students C/O Peoples Bank in Madison County. Visitation will take place Wed, Dec 26, 2007 from 5-9pm at the First Baptist Church in Richmond. Lakes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, online register book at www.lakesfuneralhome.com