Obituary of James Oscar "Bud" Cage

James Oscar “Bud” Cage passed away peacefully on May 25th, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. 

Bud was a native of Gallatin, Tennessee, born into a farming family to Gladys and Henry Cage in what was then known as the Number One Community. There he and his father operated a dairy farm. Growing up, he was a farm boy through and through. He loved working with the cows, farming in the community with his brother-like friends, John and Billy Franklin, visiting Hitt’s Country Store and spending Sundays at Rehoboth United Methodist Church.  

As a young man, Bud was raised in Rehoboth, a place where he learned and shared God’s love with anyone he met. Bud was a life-long member and servant -leader of Rehoboth, one of the true loves of his life. There he lived out his favorite bible verse, Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” He chose numerous leadership and supporting roles from Chairman of the Administrative Committee to working to maintain the church building and grounds to ensuring the annual Children’s Day celebration dinner-on-the-ground had a table constructed and plenty of ice-cold drinks for attendees. 

Rehoboth is where Bud met the most devoted love of his life, Imogene “Jean” McCrary Cage and on June 12, 1954 the couple was married there in the chapel, beginning a 68 year marriage. Together Jean and Bud dedicated their lives and love to their children, Ann Love, Tim and Swingley, their 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Fondly referred to as “Papa” for most of his life, he instilled the values he was raised on in each member of the Cage family. He led as an example of unconditional love and support for the generations that follow him and consistently showed up for his family. Papa was an avid fan of his grandchildren, sitting front and center for any ball game, recital or program they participated in. 

He established lifelong friendships with those he worked with at Green Seed Company, Hoeganaes Corporation, Derryberry’s Heat and Air, and the Sumner County Fair Board of Directors. 

Bud was a kind, caring and giving man. He was a consummate handy-man and fixer of anything broken. He was the kind of person willing to drop everything to see and fill a need for anyone he came into contact with, a living reminder of the parable of the Good Samaritan who touched too many lives to count. It is with great sorrow and love that we say goodbye for now. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Special Olympics Tennessee and Rehoboth United Methodist Church.

Preceded in death by:

Father: John Henry Cage, Mother: Gladys Swingley Cage, Granddaughter: Zoe Elizabeth Cage, Great-Grandaughter: Honor Ann Cage, Sisters: Janice Cage Scott, Lillian Cage Woodard

Survived by:

Wife of 68 years: Jean McCrary Cage, Children: Ann Love Ayre (Chip), Tim Cage (Terri), Swingley Cage (Karen), Grandchildren: Katie Thompson (Neil), David Ayre (Christin), Andrew Ayre (Ashley), Pastor Baron Cage (Taylor), Emily Cage, Shelby Cage, Great-Grandchildren: Braden Thompson, Kaylen Thompson, Connor Ayre, Declan Ayre, Connelly Ayre, Eleanor Ayre, Hannah Ayre, Banner Cage, Sisters: Edie Hix and Gail Adams (John), several nieces and nephews. The obituary was lovingly written by the family.

Details about the Service:  Visitation will be Friday, May 27^th from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Family Heritage Funeral Home, 100 East Albert Gallatin Avenue, Gallatin, TN  37066 and Saturday, May 28^th from 8:00 a.m. until time of service at 9:00 a.m. at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 2601 Cages Bend Road, Gallatin, TN  37066.  Funeral Service will be Saturday, May 28^th at 9:00 a.m. at the church.  Interment will follow the service at Crestview Memory Gardens, with Chip Ayre, Neil Thompson, David Ayre, Andrew Ayre, Shelby Cage, and Rick Fox serving as pallbearers.  Online condolences may be submitted at familyheritagefh.com.