Reverend Carl Cawood, 95 of Ashland passed from this life on Friday evening, October 30, 2026, at the Inn at Ashland Woods.
He was born on May 7, 1931, in Gordon, Ohio, the son of the late Reford and Esther (nee Zimmerman) Cawood.
Carl graduated from Arcanum High School, Class of 1949. He furthered his education and earned a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University in 1953. Carl married the love of his life, the former Doris Shell, on August 29, 1953, in her parents’ home.
He completed his master’s degree in divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, in 1956. Following his ordination, Carl took his first assignment at the Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren in Miami County and served 12 years until 1968. In the summer of 1968, Carl and Doris moved to Ashland, Ohio, where he pastored the First Church of the Brethren on Third Street for the next 16 years until 1984. Following his pastorship, Carl was employed at Manchester College in Manchester, Indiana, where he worked in church relations and church development. He retired in 1998, and he and Doris would call Ashland home again after their 14 years in Indiana.
Throughout his life, Carl enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, traveling, and stamp collecting.
He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Mrs. Doris Cawood, of Ashland; two sons, Paul (Diane) Cawood of Ashland and Mark (Wendy) Cawood of Central, South Carolina; four grandsons, Luke (Cara) Cawood of New Castle, Pennsylvania, Scott (Courtney) Cawood of Logan, John Paul Cawood of Atlanta, Georgia, and Thomas Cawood of Anderson, South Carolina; three great grandchildren, Cade, Claire, and Emma Cawood; and one sister, Martha Baker of Arcanum.
In addition to his parents, Carl is preceded in death by his son, Darrell Cawood, who passed away at the age of 5; and two sisters, Barbara Gay and Margaret Cawood.
A Celebration of Carl’s life will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the First Church of the Brethren, 122 East 3rd Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805, with Reverend Brian Layman presiding. A meal and time of fellowship will follow at the church. Interment will be private for the family in the Dickey Cemetery. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 604, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to handle the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com