Gerald Eugene “Mike” McCaulley, 77, passed away June 13, 2011, in Crescent City.

Mike was born April 7, 1934, in Visalia Calif., to Bobby and Marie (Sullivan) McCaulley. 

Mike began his U.S. Air Force career when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at an early age, serving as a ranger and a paratrooper before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps. 

He met and married Hilda Vetter during one of his deployments in Germany. 

In the Air Force, Mike developed an expertise in survival skills and served as a trainer both in the U.S. and internationally before his retirement. His son fondly recalls his dad teaching him to live off the land when he was growing up.

An avid outdoorsman and craftsman, Mike, with Hilda, later owned and operated a motel for hunters in Washington state before moving to Brookings in the late 1980s.  

Mike spent the remainder of his retirement years working on his yard, making improvements to his home, and traveling with Hilda in their RV.

Survivors include his wife Hilda; son Thomas McCaulley and his wife Carol of Washougal, Wash. 

A Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Camas, Wash.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel.