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About Lee Roy Caffey:

From the book "Matchless Milam" page 283 FROM MILK BOWL TO THE NFL AND BACK

Lee Roy Caffey, Milam Co.'s contribution to the Nation Football League for 10 years, hung up the cleats. He retired to the business world after an illustrious career that included 3 trips to the Super Bowl, 1 as a starter with the world champion Green Bay Packers. But, oddly enough, Lee Roy digs deeper into his memory to recall what he terms his greatest thrill. It goes back to the time he was 10 years old, a fifth-grader at Thorndale, and a member of a pee-wee football team that played the Oklahoma Indians in the "Milk Bowl", at pee-wee championship football game held at Marlin. Caffey remembers that his team beat the Indians from the neighboring state, but he's not positive about the score. "It was about 33-0," he said, "But that day I shook hands with Jim Thorp and that was the greatest thrill of my life."

Jim Thorpe is a sports legend, product of a small Indian school, and an All-American collegiate footballer who later won Olympic gold medals in track. Not too long before that pee-wee Milk Bowl, the movie "Jim Thorp - All American" starred Burt Lancaster and was a hit across the nation. Lee Roy remembers "Getting goose bumps" watching the movie and when, at halftime ceremonies at the Milk Bowl, the young players shook the immortal Thorpe's hand, Lee Roy got those goose bumps again. "He was an idol a champion? I'll never forget meeting him."

Maybe "Jim Thorpe - All American" inspired Caffey on the road to sports, or maybe it was just native talent, but whatever the motive Lee Roy began assembling impressive credentials.

Caffey, Lee Roy of Thorndale. Age 52. Died 1/18/1994 (Tuesday) in MD Anderson Hospital, Houston, of colon cancer. Services held at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Burial in Salty Comm. Cemetery, Milam Co. Rev. Chris Osborne, Central Baptist Church, officated. "Football greats from near and far, friends from all walks of life were present for the funeral." He was born 6/3/1941 in Thorndale "Three fullbacks were recruited in the same year by A&M; Lee Roy from Thorndale, Sam Byers from Marlin and Jerry Rogers for Corpus Christi Ray. All three died, far too young, of cancer." His decade-long career took him from Philadelphia to Green Bay to Dallas to San Diego. He was considered the fastest linebacker in the league during his prime with the Packers. Pallbearers were teammates and close friends, either at Green Bay or Texas A&M. Honorary pallbearers were all other former Green Bay Packer and Aggie teammates. A Lee Roy Caffey Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at Thorndale State Bank of memorials may be sent to American Cancer Society or Vince Lombardi Cancer Research Foundation. Preceded in death by his father, W. C. Caffey of Rockdale. Survivors: Wife, Dana Lou; son, Bradley; daughter, Lee Ann & Husband, Wade Smith; Jennifer & husband Bubba Hoffman; mother Bernice Caffey; Kenny & Judy, Kay Lee and Wade Garrett; mother-in-law & father-in-law, Lucille and Mark Towery of Thorndale.