James Vernon Cavanaugh

Jim was born on October 6, 1937 in Seaside Hospital, Long Beach, CA, to Eleanor Mae (Fisher) and Earl Harley Cavanaugh, Lieutenant, USN. Jim grew up in South Connellsville, PA, and Coronado, CA, and graduated high school from the United States Naval Base School, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

During summer as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, Jim sailed into many ports around the globe. He graduated with the Class of 1961, a member of the 11th Company. Following military service aboard the USS Ernest G. Small (DDR-838), and aboard the USS Annapolis (AGMR-1), Jim entered graduate school, earning an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Three decades of experience followed within the business world. Jim worked for Westinghouse Electric, Ralph M. Parsons Company, and General Business Services, eventually focusing on accounting and financial planning for several Southern California companies in the ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal recycling industry, retiring as CFO, Integrity Metal, Inc., in 2013.

Throughout his life, Jim was passionate about his very large, extended family in Pennsylvania and Canada, classical music, opera, current events, and history. Jim also was interested in technology. Once he learned the basics of how to use Bluetooth, Jim sang along with country music legends Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce, Eddy Arnold, and Hank Williams, to name a few. He never lost his love for opera, but could not resist serenading those country songs he had heard on the radio when he was a child.

Jim brought smiles and laughter to those who knew and loved him, and enjoyed life to the fullest. Eager to connect with everyone he met, he joined Kiwanis and Marines' Memorial Association, and was active in local community affairs. Later in life, Jim enjoyed frequent trips to Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island, as well as a guided tour of major cities of Central Europe. He enthusiastically participated in U.S. Naval Academy Class of '61 events in San Diego and milestone reunions in Annapolis, continuing the bonds of friendship established at the Academy so many years prior, both in person and by email. Jim was a natural storyteller and keeper of the family tree. "To make a long story short," and "Today is another day in which to excel," were favorite phrases. On the home front, Jim proudly cheered from the sidelines and bleachers while attending his grandsons' soccer and basketball games, and cherished every moment he was in their company.

Jim was predeceased by his parents and his younger sister, Sylvia Lee Cavanaugh. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lee; daughter, Barbara Lopez (and her husband Gabriel) of Fullerton, CA; son, David Cavanaugh, of Las Vegas, NV; grandsons Jacob, Ethan, and Alec Lopez; two sisters- and brothers-in-law; numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephew.

A memorial service was held 11 April 2024 at Riverside National Cemetery, in Riverside, CA, followed by inurnment.

In remembrance of Jim's life, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Marines' Memorial Association (marinesmemorial.org), Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, Inc. (wanamakerorgan.com), KUSC Classical California (kusc.org), or The Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org).