Thomas Gary Cauley, loving husband, father, and grandpa, passed away on September 29, 2026, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House of North Idaho. He was 73. A private family service will be held at the LaCrosse Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Carolyn.

Thomas was born on October 16, 1952, in Graceville, Minnesota, to Thomas and Dorothy Reinart Cauley. He was the youngest of six children. He grew up in the Graceville area and enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduating from high school. Beginning in 1970, he served in the Army infantry during the Vietnam War. He later trained and worked in Army intelligence for several years before an injury led to his medical discharge.

Thomas lived in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a truck driver for a local building materials company. He kept busy with his growing family and often took his children fishing and hunting. They also enjoyed gathering and chopping firewood together. He did taxidermy work on the side as well.

In 1995, Tom moved to LaCrosse, Washington, where he operated Jasper Trucking for many years. There, he lived with the love of his life, Carolyn Audet, who worked alongside him in the trucking business as an accountant and bookkeeper. They married in 2014 and enjoyed fishing, camping, and especially spending time with family and their grandchildren. Tom looked forward to taking the grandchildren to school each morning and picking them up in the afternoon. He also had a soft spot in his heart for his granddog, Daisy. Tom was a longtime member of the LaCrosse gun club. Following Carolyn’s passing on March 22, 2025, Tom moved to Sagle, Idaho, a few months later to be closer to family.

He is survived by their children, Theresa Mitchell, Tammy Adler, Troy Audet, Thomas Cauley IV, and Kaelynn Jones; his 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, of whom he was so proud; his brother, Roger Cauley; and his sisters, Angeline Nosbusch and Jeri Behrens. In addition to his beloved wife, Carolyn, he was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Leonard Marihart; and his brothers, Dennis and Richard Cauley.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is in charge of the arrangements. www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com