John Stephen Cavanaugh, Jr., 85, passed away May 16, 2024. A memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines with a visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.
John was born on November 2, 1938 to John and Elizabeth (Henderson) Cavanaugh in Madison, WI, and lived there until 1970 before moving to West Des Moines. He graduated from Edgewood High School in Madison, WI in 1956. John then received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin and was a lifelong Wisconsin Badger. He started in pharmaceutical sales and moved to West Des Moines to become a regional manager. He then worked 35 years in the finance industry as an advisor, branch manager and partner.
John was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and sang in the choir for 27 years. John was a past president of the Valley High Boosters Club, board member and coach of West Des Moines Little League, Simpson College Gold Club board member, Beta Theta Phi Fraternity, and the Alumni Association for the University of Wisconsin. Obviously his favorite color was red and his favorite animal was a badger. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.
John is survived by his wife, Helen L.; daughter, Kelly (Brad) Taylor and their children, Zachary (Allie) great-granddaughter, Nora, and Kaye; sons, John, James (Cara) and their children, Murphy and Nelson, Joseph (Christina) and their child, Liam; daughter, Kate; step-daughters, Brooke Smith and her children Bailey and Brody, Brandi Albert and her children, Nick and James; sister-in-law, Roberta Nelson, brothers-in-law, John Heivilin and Jim Whitney as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; parents; and sister, Kathleen.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Valley Tigers Booster Club at https://valleytigerboosterclub.square.site/donation or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
