Hugh Patrick McCauley

Hugh Patrick McCauley was born to Hugh James and Hulda Louise (Flach) McCauley in Hastings, Nebraska on May 8th 1919 and passed away peacefully in Loveland Colorado on July 16th 2017 at 98 years old.   Hugh was the fourth child of seven children in the McCauley family.  The family did not have a lot of material things, but the family was very rich in love.  The McCauley family worked together and played together so they could enjoy life.  They looked after each other creating a very close family relationship with strong family values.   

Hugh was baptized on May 28th 1919 in Hastings, Nebraska at Zion Lutheran Church.  He was confirmed in 1936 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Yuma Colorado.  His bible verse is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Hugh lived with his family on the McCauley family homestead (farm and ranch), 20 miles south of Eckley by Heartstrong, Colorado.  Hugh attended grade school at Lincoln Valley District 95 through eighth grade. The school was a one room building that was two miles northwest of the McCauley homestead.  In 1935 Hugh with his older brother Clarence, and younger sister Pauline moved to a farm owned by Hattie Heiserman 2 ½ miles southeast of Yuma so Hugh and Pauline could attend high school. Hugh graduated from the Yuma Union High School with the class of 1939.  After graduating from high school, Hugh continued to run Hattie Heiserman farm even after Clarence left for the service so that his younger brother, Arthur, could live with him and graduate from high school.   On January 14th 1944, Hugh was married to Marjorie Ruth (Allen) McCauley by pastor August Oltroge, at his home.  After getting married, Hugh and Marjorie lived on the Hattie Heiserman farm until he was drafted into the Army on May 2nd 1945 for World War II.  Hugh completed his basic training at Fort Hood military post in Killeen, Texas and spent time in Egypt and Iran protecting our country during the war.  Hugh and Marjorie had their first child on August 17th 1945, a son Bernard Allen, who was born in Temple, Texas and passed away soon after birth.  Hugh received an honorable discharge on March 16th 1946 with two Medals of decoration the World War II Victory medal and the European African Middle Eastern Service medal.  Hugh and Marjorie moved to the McCauley family homestead after Hugh returned and stayed there until March 1947, at which time they moved to the current family farm 8 ½ miles west of Yuma that they rented from Lemont Heiserman until his death. They would then purchase the farm in 1964 from the Heiserman Estate.  On May 1st 1947 just months after moving to their new home their daughter Patricia Ruth was born.   On April 15th 1953 they welcomed their second son into the world, Gail Eugene.  Hugh and Marjorie purchased farm and grassland from John Lasater, Juanita (Ogle) Williams and many others over the years to grow their farm and ranch.

In 1976, Hugh and Marjorie traveled to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Holland with Clarence and Juanita McCauley to visit farms.  In 1980, they went to Ireland and located many of the McCauley relatives.  In 1980, Hugh and Marjorie moved off the current family farm after 33 years to live in Marjorie’s parent’s home that they purchased after her mother passing in 1967 and had been used as a rental property over the years.  In 1984, they purchased a home in Yuma, Arizona and spent winters there until Marjorie passed away in 1999.  Hugh and Marjorie were married for 55 years and loved spending time together.  Hugh would return to Ireland with his daughter Patricia and sister in law Gladys Seifert in 2000 to enjoy the homeland one last time.  In 2001 he married Mae Hutt at his home.  Hugh and his son Gail have operated the family farm and ranch for the last 70 years. 

Hugh will be remembered best for being a great husband, father, grandfather and friend having a kind and generous heart. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

Hugh is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Hulda; wife, Marjorie; son Bernard Allen; siblings Marie Greinke, Susanna Harrah, Clarence McCauley, Pauline Tribbett, Arthur McCauley and Melvin McCauley.

He is survived by his daughter Patricia Ruth (McCauley) Sowl and husband Ray Sowl.  His Son Gail Eugene McCauley and wife Monta.  His sisters in law Juanita McCauley, Sara McCauley, Betty Allen, and Gladys Seifert.  His three grandchildren Todd Alan Sowl and wife Susan Sowl, Brian Scott Sowl and wife Natalie Sowl, and Mariah Tyler McCauley.  His four great grandchildren Tyler Aaron Sowl, Sydney Elizabeth Sowl, Myka McDonald, and James Patrick Sowl.

The service was held at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado on Thursday July 20, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.  Interment followed the service at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Pastor Dennis Fitzpatrick of the Lutheran Church and Reverend Kenneth Greinke officiated the service, and Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.