Brad Cayce

Hamilton Bradford Cayce passed away December 3, 2014. Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Gladstone and Olive Bryant Cayce, and sister Barbara Cayce. He was a lifelong resident of metro Atlanta and began his young life in Buckhead. He attended North Fulton High School and graduated from Northside High School. Brad went to Southern Tech, Georgia StateUniversity, The University of Georgia, and General Motors University of Automotive Management. He was a very patriotic American and loved the conservative principles his country was founded on. He greatly respected and had the highest regard for President Ronald Reagan, President George H. W. Bush, and President George W. Bush. Brad and his wife Bea worked diligently during Senator Barry Goldwaters' bid for President in 1964, and he was a delegate to the state Republican Convention. He proudly served his country in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. Brad was highly regarded in the automotive field, spending most of his working life in that profession. He put himself through college by working nights. He said he went to "the school of hard knocks." In the early '60s he taught school for several years at Atlanta Area Technical Vocational Schoolbefore returning to the private sector at several Atlanta area car dealerships. He was a Buckhead Boy and nothing made him happier than thinking back on his youth in Buckhead, remembering the wonderful days of the '40s and '50s. Brad's very first car cost the grand sum of $25.00. He said "it was way too fast for the worn out steering it had and he was never sure where it was going or how he could stop it when he got there," quoting him. He said it "would have been worth the $25.00 if it had windows in it!" He later "up-graded" to a really nice '40 Ford, and still later to a '46 Ford with a Rocket 88 Oldsmobile engine, "so the girls would ride in it," to quote his nostalgic remembrances. As a teen, Brad began his professional years in the automobile business working at John Rogers Engine Co. in Atlanta, and for a short time he worked for Bill Gazaway, a legend in the racing world. He later learned much of his automotive "schooling" from friend Hugh Cobb, Hoyt Brimes, Paul McDuffy, and Lamar Moody. When a young teenager, he and his good friend Gene Felton, of international racing fame, spent many happy times at the Peach Bowl speedway on Howell Mill Rd. in Atlanta. In those young years Brad dreamed of being in the racing world, he was in his element when at the Peach Bowl and other speedways, seeing and talking with the men who spent their lives in that fascinating and competitive sport. He and a friend built #74, a '55 Chevrolet that Russell Nelson raced at the Peach Bowl for several years. It was a very competitive and winning car. In 1959, Brad met the lady he said was "the love of his life." They married and started their family in 1962. Although he didn't spend his working life in the racing world that he respected and loved so much, he did become one of its most passionate and knowledgeable fans. There were few weekends that he wasn't in front of the TV reveling in watching NASCAR races, UGA Football games, or Atlanta Braves games. He greatly loved all three sports and was an exceptionally knowledgeable fan. During Brad and Bea's first married years, he coached Little League football in Cobb County. He avidly devoted a lot of his time in those years coaching young boys. His sons Gene and David can attest to that, for it gave Brad great pleasure keeping track of the youngsters that he had coached when they were 12-14 years old, as some of them later played college football. He felt that his coaching had given them a good start in the sport. Brad was a proud, loving, supportive, and exemplary father to sons Gene, David, and Brian, and later a most loving grandfather to his and Bea's three grandchildren: Jessica, Austin, and Mallory Cayce. He thoroughly loved becoming Grandpa Cayce to Jessica and Austin, and "Pop" to Mallory, the youngest grandchild. All three children were the light of his life. Brad was one of "the best" in every way. He was a southern gentleman, a very giving man (giving of himself), a very dear and loving husband, father, and grandfather. His life was a supreme example of the highest character that one could ever imagine. He will be greatly missed by his adoring and loving family and by many friends. The family will receive friends at Ingram Funeral Home on Saturday, December 6, 2014, from 2 to 4 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of Ingram Funeral Home on Saturday. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. Visitation DetailsSaturday, December 6th, 2014, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Ingram Funeral Home Service DetailsSaturday, December 6th, 2014, 4:00pm, Ingram Funeral Home