Thomas Edison Cauley, Jr

Gone To Meet The Master

Thomas Edison Cauley died May 8, 2025 in Selmer, Tennessee. He was born in Kinston, North Carolina on April 1, 1943 to the late Thomas Edison Cauley and Dorothy Helen Sumerall Cauley.

After finishing high school at Virginia Beach, Virginia - he entered the United States Air Force. Spending three tours in Japan, a tour of Vietnam and in 1966 he was trained on a C130A of Air America - a CIA-backed airline as a navigator flying in Laos and Cambodia. (Air America's - C-130A's, were involved in a range of operations, including transporting supplies, personnel, and equipment, as well as participating in clandestine missions.) Later he worked out of the CIA headquarters at Langley Air Force Base.

While in the service he attended Waseda University in Japan and earned a BA in Commerce. He later attended Tohoka University in Japan earning a PhD in East Asian Studies, retiring from the services as a captain.

Tom was a Master Mason and Past Master of Admork 10 fa Misawa Japan. He started karate at the age of 14 and continued as long as he was able, he studied with the masters in Japan. He was an 8-degree black belt and an international director with students all over the world.

He served as an adjunct professor at several universities including UT Martin -Selmer campus.

In 1994, he moved to McNairy County and married Brenda Jones. He worked at General Electric, was McNairy County Chamber Director and Wayne County Economic Director. Most importantly, he was a Christian and a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Selmer.

He is survived by his wife Brenda Jones Cauley of Ramer, TN; five sisters, Jo Ann O'Neal and husband Johnny of Kinston, NC, Faye Smithson and husband Jay of Chesapeake, VA, Rose Wildham of Portland, OR, Jenny Smith and husband Page of Virginia Beach, VA, Becky Hickey and husband Kenny of Charlottesville, VA; special nephew, RC Huggins, Jr and wife Marcella; special niece, Vickie Boyette and husband Jerry - who were wonderful caregivers in his time of need; and a host of nieces and nephews.