William "Cale" Bass

Cale Bass, 53, of Concord, went to his heavenly home with Jesus on Sunday, April 16, 2023, after several years of declining health. He is whole and healthy again and celebrating being reunited with his father who passed away just a few short months ago, on December 30, 2022.

Cale was the dearly loved son of Steve and Gail Bass. He was born November 11, 1969 in Atlanta, GA. Cale was named after NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough. Gail was pregnant in 1969 when she and Steve attended the race in Atlanta and met up with Cale Yarborough there. Yarborough and Steve made a bet that if Yarborough won the race that day and Gail gave birth to a boy, that they would name the baby “Cale.” As fate would have it, Gail gave birth to a baby boy, and they named him Cale in honor of Yarborough’s win.

Cale was preceded in death by his father, Steve Bass; maternal grandparents, Garland Brock and Haddie Brock; and paternal grandparents, Wilbert Bass and Elizabeth Bass. Cale is survived
by his mother, Gail Bass; and siblings, Donna Bass Phillips (Jamey), Erica Bass Christopher (Brad), Jamie Bass, Angel Bass, Amanda Bass Davidson (Collin), Todd Bass, and Tommy Bass; nieces and nephews, Jake Phillips (Rikki), Hunter Phillips, Alyssa Christopher, Zoe Antonescu, Annabel Bass, and Syrenn Bass.

Cale graduated from Central Cabarrus High School in 1988. He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. Upon leaving the Air Force, Cale began working in NASCAR. He worked for multiple race teams as an engine tuner and tire carrier. After leaving NASCAR, Cale began working for Bank of America in Charlotte.

Cale was a staunch defender and protector of animals and loved his rescue dogs, cats, and horses as if they were children. He was a gentle giant whose love and compassion for animals was known by all who knew him. From the time he was a small child, he began taking in all kinds of animals from a wounded hawk and an abandoned baby squirrel to guinea pigs, stray dogs and cats, etc. Cale had a heart of gold and a beautiful smile and laugh that will not be forgotten.

Cale's Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm. The memorial service with military honors will follow at 2:30 pm in the funeral home chapel, officiated by Rev. David Snow. The service will be webcast: https://video.ibm.com/channel/hartsell-funeral-home-concord Cale will be laid to rest at Carolina Memorial Park Harrisburg during a private committal at later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County, 2010 Wilshire Ct SW, Concord, NC 28025 ( http://www.cabarrushumanesociety.org/help/donations ) or to your local humane society.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Bass family.