Edward Lyle Cain passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on November 7, 2016, of complications from COPD. He was born April 5, 1943, in Somerville, AL, attended Priceville Elementary and Decatur High School, and graduated the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and stayed in close contact with his pledge class through the years.
Professionally, he was proud to consider himself a self-made man; he had an impressive range of talents, no doubt. His first job was picking cotton after school, and he proceeded to work at Bob’s Monarch Food Store as a check out man, sacker and butcher. He was also a drug store pharmacist helper and worked for the TVA. When his uncle, an engineer, arrived at the farm in his hot rod Corvette, Eddie knew just what degree and career he was going to pursue. As an engineer, he worked at Boeing in Huntsville, contributing to the Saturn rocket program, from 1965-1968. He could slide rule with the best of them. In 1968, he moved to Birmingham to join Thompson Tractor Co, and enjoyed close to 30 years there, working his way up to Vice President of Sales. In his retirement, he loved watching and playing the stock market. He was smart as a whip, expected excellence, and could fix right near everything.
He was honored to have been chosen a Distinguished Engineering Fellow at the University of Alabama, and he was a director of the Capstone Engineering Society. He was a past board member of the School of Mines and Energy Development at U of A, Alabama Roadbuilders Association, Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Forestry Foundation. He was an avid hunter of quail, doves, deer, and turkey, and an expert turkey yelper. In his later years, he was just as thrilled to enjoy a beautiful morning in a tree stand or on the deck, watching the world and the animals wake up.
He loved raising seven generations of English setters, and taught them not only how to be bird dogs but how to be great companions. He was an active member of St Luke’s Episcopal Church. Dad treasured his faith especially in his later years, and enjoyed much fellowship and Bible study. He was grateful for many, wonderful friendships through the years. He and his family were especially grateful for the last 13 months, during which he strengthened bonds of love and affection with candor that confirmed the deeply loving man we knew within his sometimes crusty exterior.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, Adlia Lyle Cain and Elizabeth Adcock Cain, and his only brother, Lonnie Paul Cain. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Warren Bailes Cain, and beloved children E. Lyle Cain, Jr, MD of Birmingham, and Elizabeth Warren Cain Clark of Austin, TX, their spouses Jill Cain and Will Clark, and six deeply adored grandchildren: Sarah, Virginia, Edward, and George Cain, and Warren and George Clark. He is also survived by his sister, Rebecca C. Garrison, of Decatur, and sister-in-law Jan S. Cain, of The Woodlands, TX. He is also survived by two bird dogs, Sam and Ruff.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, November 10, 2016 for 9:00 AM Visitation and 10:00 AM Memorial Eucharist at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham, AL, followed by a 2:00- 2:30 PM Visitation at Peck Funeral Home, Hartselle, AL, and a 3:00 PM Graveside Service at Somerville Cemetery. Pallbearers are Noble Russell, Billy Hudson, Bill Gilchrist, Bob Gilchrist, Jon Freeman, and Mike Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to send a memorial gift to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.
