George Thomas Cavanaugh

George Thomas Cavanaugh

Cedar Rapids

George Thomas Cavanaugh, 91, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully on Dec. 29, 2022, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Mass of Christian Burial by the Rev. Jon Seda at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at St. Pius X Catholic Church; visitation 10 to 11 a.m. preceding Mass. Burial with full military funeral honors follows at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is caring for the family.

Born Dec. 18, 1931, in Ottumwa, to George and Mildred (Anderson) Cavanaugh, he graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1950, then immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he honorably served aboard the USS Iowa BB-61 during the Korean War. On Nov. 10, 1956, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Rose Marie Schmitz, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eddyville. He worked for 39 years at Downing Box Co., later becoming Longview Fibre Company. Upon “retirement” and after the loss of his sweet Rosie, George rarely sat idle. He dedicated himself to his grandkids, and when he wasn’t with them, he was likely volunteering at St. Pius X, the church he was proudly a charter member of, where he might be tarring the church roof, painting inside the school, mowing the lawn, or shoveling snow. He also gave countless hours to The American Legion Marion Post 298 and VFW Post 788, being a lifetime member of both organizations. When he did decide to take some time to relax, you’d find him traveling all over Iowa with his buddies on the American Cancer Society golf pass.

Survivors include his six children and nine grandchildren; daughter, Cecelia (Tom) Gustafson and their children, Greta, Ingrid, Elsa and Swen of Cedar Rapids; five sons, Chris and daughter, Hannah of Siloam Springs, Ark.; Craig (Karen) and their sons, Dylan, Ian and Nolan of Cedar Rapids; Curt of Cedar Rapids; Cary of Cedar Rapids; and Charles (Tammy) and their daughter, Lawrencia of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Schmitz of Kirkville, Iowa, and Tina Schmitz of Cedar Rapids; brothers-in-law, Don Felker of Ankeny, Iowa, and Ron Schmitz (Ryan) of Ecuador; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie; his parents; and sister, Donna Felker.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to all of the staff at the Hospice House of Mercy and asks that in lieu of flowers, all donations be directed to this wonderful home and its ongoing mission.

Please share your support and memories with George’s family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.