Henry Harris “Hank” Caddell, of Mobile, Alabama, passed away on November 11, 2024, after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was 79 years old.
Hank was born to Lucy Harris Caddell and John Andrew Caddell in Decatur, Alabama on February 18, 1945. A twin but always an original, Hank was born with pyloric stenosis, and survived infancy thanks to a then-extraordinary surgical procedure. Reserved as a child, Hank excelled academically, graduating as salutatorian of Decatur High School in 1963 and then receiving a B.S. in chemistry, with honors, from the University of Alabama in 1967. While he initially focused his studies on the sciences, he ultimately found his calling in the law. Hank graduated from Harvard Law School in 1971 and went on to practice for over 50 years.
Hank’s wide-ranging legal career included a stint as Chief of the Environmental Protection Division of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office from 1971-1978, where he earned the ire of major polluters and the nickname “Hammerin’ Hank.” He entered private practice in 1985 with the firm now known as Thiry & Caddell. Over the following four decades, Hank became a leading practitioner in the fields of employment, civil rights, and probate law, while also successfully litigating a number of environmental law matters.
Charitable endeavors were central to Hank’s life and career. He was an active participant in Mobile’s Volunteer Lawyers Program since its inception in 1989. He also founded the Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust, a nonprofit organization which has purchased and successfully preserved hundreds of acres of Alabama’s coastal wildlife habitat. Additionally, he served for over two decades on the board of Franklin Primary Health Center, whose network of 23 clinics works to ensure that all South Alabamians have access to quality health care. Most recently he was a long-term board member of the environmental organization now known as HealthyGulf.org, as well as a number of other organizations. Hank was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Mobile for over 40 years.
Hank was devoted to his wife of 49 years, Barbara Hudgens Caddell; his children; and of course the University of Alabama football program. His exuberant dancing as well as his knowledge of rock-and-roll music made him a welcome guest at weddings. His warmth, generosity, and unique sense of humor will be deeply missed.
Hank was preceded in death by his son Elliot Henry Caddell (1979-1989), and is survived by his wife Barbara; sons John Paul Caddell of Philadelphia, PA, and Edward Thomas Caddell of Atlanta, GA; siblings Thomas Arthur Caddell of Decatur, AL, Lucinda “Lulu” Bell of Mobile, AL and John Andrew “Jack” Caddell, Jr. of Mobile, AL; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 151 South Ann Street in Mobile, on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to any of the organizations named above.
