Remembering Earl Cavanaugh
(1930-2007)
The Very Reverend James Earl Cavanaugh, dean emeritus of Grace and Holy
Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, Mo., died Thursday, August 8, 2007
at the age of 77.
Cavanaugh served as the sixth dean of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral from 1976 to 1995. During his time at GHTC, he worked on the development of the Cathedral congregation and was part of the building of the office building for the Diocese of West Missouri, the redesign and rebuilding of the Nave of the Cathedral, and the new building of the parish hall, Founders’ Hall. He was active in the affairs of Kansas City, particularly in helping to establish the Kansas City Kitchen, now the Kansas City Community Kitchen—part of the Episcopal Anti-Hunger Network.
Cavanaugh was born May 22, 1930 to Mary and Michael Cavanaugh. He attended Temple University, Lycoming College, Drew Theological Seminary and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific.
He served 55 years in the ministry; five years first in the Methodist Church in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area; 20 years in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and northern San Diego County; 20 years as Dean of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City; and five years as Chaplain of Bishop Spencer Place.
"One thing I think is important for us to remember about Earl Cavanaugh is that he was not just the dean of the cathedral, he was the dean of diversity and decency as well," said the Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, U.S. congressman. "He belonged to the entire community, and now he belongs to the ages." (Kansas City Star)
In the Diocese of West Missouri, he also served many Diocesan Committees. He was co-founder of Episcopal Social Services, a member of the Religion Task Force of "Harmony in a World of Difference," Chaplain of the Harry S Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation, a member of Concerned Clergy for Christian Fellowship, a member of the U.S. Inter-religious Committee for Peace in the Middle East. He organized AIDS Walks in Kansas City, and served on the Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS, and the Mayor’s Council on Homeless. He served on the Board of Drumm Farm. He was co-founder of the Friends of C.G. Jung of Greater Kansas City.
In lieu of flowers, you may honor Earl with a memorial contribution to the Kansas City Community Kitchen c/o Episcopal Community Services, 11 East 40th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111; Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, PO Box 412048, Kansas City, MO 64141; or to Bishop Spencer Place, 4301 Madison Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111.
In the National Church, he served as deputy to nine General Conventions, and chaired the Committee on Social and Urban affairs. He was president of the General Convention Advisory Council, a member of the Committee on the State of the Church, and the Council of Advice for the President of the House of Deputies and for the Presiding Bishop.
In California, he was active in Diocesan and National Church life, as well as in serving and building seven parishes. He served as President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Los Angeles and other committees.
He was the recipient of Awards from reStart Inc., Ingram’s Community Leadership, Gillis Home, and the Bishop’s Award for Service and Leadership. He received the Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service from William Jewell College. He was awarded the Honorary Degree of Dr. of Divinity, from William Jewell College.
He was married for 53 years to Nancy Gingrich of Philadelphia. He is survived by his wife, and by his daughter, Helen Cavanaugh Stauts, son-in-law, Paul Stauts, granddaughter, Sydney, and three grandsons, Alexander, Ethan, and Jacob, who all reside in Northern California. Dean Cavanaugh loved life. His Irish spirit found the joy and passion in everything he did. He leaves behind many beloved friends and his special Mavericks.
Your notes and expressions of affection have truly touched Nancy and she thanks everyone for your continued prayers.
Remembrances
I had always loved Earl’s sense of humor. We would always greet each other with a little peck on each other’s cheek, he was a wonderful man and a good friend. Virgil and I will miss him very much.
Nancy, our prayers are with you and your daughter.
-Rose Burke, Kansas City, Mo.
My first memory of our beloved Earl remains one of
the best. My mother had just died, and I called the Cathedral to
arrange her funeral...not knowing that Earl was quite new and hadn’t
even MET my mother. He said it would all be fine (the first of many
such assurances!), and we could talk a few moments at the
visitation.
All I can say is, several hundred people were left after the next
day’s funeral with the impression that he had known - and revered -
my mother for YEARS! Just the beginning of a relationship I
cherished for 30 years.
Best love and prayers to you, Nancy.
-Annie Heck, Kansas City, Mo.
... One of the most exceptional things about Dean Cavanaugh was that even though he was retired and the Cathedral had a new Dean, he continued to have a weekly presence at GHTC, both at the altar and in the lives of the congregation. When I say that to other active clergy they generally get a slightly wide-eyed and harried look about them, because almost always when a priest retires but does not leave his congregation, he ends up causing no end of grief to his replacement and to the parish. Dean Cavanaugh, however, walked in the role of retired clergy with grace and wisdom. Not once in all my five years there did he say or do anything to undercut the authority of the Dean. He was the consummate voice of experience, and of gentle counsel. They told me when I arrived that before his retirement Dean Cavanaugh had ruled the Cathedral for almost twenty years with an iron fist and a famous temper. It was something I always had trouble imagining as it was so far from my experience of him. ...
-Benjamin J. Newland, Puyallup, Wash.
I remember coming to the Cathedral 23 years ago as a new Section Leader in the Choir, and not knowing quite what to expect, given my Southern Baptist background. I didn’t really understand who this “Dean” was, and what his function was in this Holy Place. But I remember most of all how impressed I was with the deep thoughts and love I found in his sermons, and how much I came to respect this wonderful man who towered over me. When I ran into financial difficulties in the late 1980s, Dean Cavanaugh didn’t hesitate to help me.
When I began my work on the new book on the Nave memorial gifts in early 2006, there was never any doubt that the book would be dedicated to J. Earl Cavanaugh. It will be a celebration of the life of this Parish and a celebration of one of the brightest lights in our lives. Earl embodied the challenging and powerful commandment found in Christ’s lesson in Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 34-40: “Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”
God has blessed us by sharing his Son, Jesus Christ, and his son, J. Earl Cavanaugh.
-Randal J. Loy, Kansas City, Mo.
Very sorry to learn of Earl’s passing. He did much to further God’s love in this world and especially to the parishioners at GHTC. Grace and Peace be with all of you.
-Joyce Gillespie, Albuquerque, NM
When I think of Dean Cavanaugh, for some reason I always remember those glorious picnics we used to have before Founders’ Hall was built and we were herded inside -- especially when he wore his red and white striped referee shirt. I remember his 64th birthday picnic when the icing on one of the “cars” on his train cake slid off onto the table. I remember when he said God created the world by puttering around. It’s entirely possible I misremembered that. I will always remember the time with him as being joyous.
-Mary Byrne, Kansas City, Mo.
My whole life has been in the church, or at least in
some guise of the church, yet Earl was my only true pastor. Thanks
be to God for his life.
-Gordon Kingsley, United Kingdom
Earl and Nancy will always have a special place in my heart. I appreciated and admired Earl as a national church leader, and as a friend and fellow cathedral dean. He brought good humor, a keen and balanced perspective on life, and a generosity of spirit into all the many endeavors where he was engaged. Those gifts will live on in the lives of all of us who now honor and give thanks for his life.
-Elton Smith, Washington, D.C.
I will never forget the hot July afternoon I was working in the GHTC Common Room Library and Dean Cavanaugh ambled in. He gave me a grand speech about passing on the mantle to young clergy and handed me with equal solemnity The Prayer Book Office and The Boston Clergy Association Handbook, 1967. I have yet to ascertain how I will utilize the second offering in my ministry, but I will cherish it forever as the perfect symbol of his perpetual air of sharing a wink with God at how joyfully funny life really is.
-Whitney Rice, New Haven, CT
Dear Earl, Thank you for making it possible for me to be one of the first women to become a lay reader and a chalice bearer at Grace and Holy Trinity. You were a very important person in my spiritual journey.
-Grace Obetz, Leawood, KS
One of my enduring memories of Earl dates to the early years of his ministry in Kansas City. I took him to lunch at Arthur Bryant’s so we could discuss the music needs of the Cathedral. He commented that this barbeque lunch was quite a contrast to all the country club meals with which he had been entertained up until then. And as a result of that meeting the music ministry at Grace and Holy Trinity entered a new era; John Schaefer became our new organist/music director, and eventually we obtained the Gabriel Kney organ, including a new balcony in which to locate it.
-John Obetz, Leawood, KS
Dean Cavanaugh was a commanding presence at Grace and Holy Trinity but also a thoughtful and gentle servant of Christ. Bemused, I think, by my family of six females and one male, he never failed to ask about my daughters and took a genuine interest in all of us. We love him, and we will miss him.
-David Rice, Lee’s Summit, MO
I am so sorry to hear of Dean Cavanaugh’s passing. I’m sure my entire family will miss him very much. I will always remember his wit and wise counsel.
-Homer Williams, Honolulu, HI
Having known Earl for 31 years, it is hard to select one particular memory of my relationship with him as a parishioner of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. I guess I would say it was his emphasis on looking forward rather than staying with the status quo. Although I was a life-long member, he would never let me get by with saying “We’ve always done it this way.” Thanks to him I learned that Christ does not want us to sit back and relax, but to grow in our faith and our service to others.
-Ruth MaGill, Kansas City, MO
In 1990 when I was searching for a new church home, I was alone in the nave after mass, and Fr. Earl very kindly, and in his literally very large presence, asked me if there was anything he could do for me. For some reason I was very touched and remember that brief meeting so vividly, even 17 years later.
-John Simpson, Kansas City, MO
I have two memories of Earl. The first is the kindness he showed me when I was going through treatment for breast cancer. He was a tall man, and I’m a short woman, so the picture I have of him is his bending down to my level to ask me how I was doing. I always felt he wasn’t just being polite, he really wanted to know how I was and his concern and compassion touched my heart. The other memory is the one time he joined us for a Cancer Support meeting. He loved my vegetable beef soup and he ate with joy and gusto. He was a great man with a great appetite — not only for soup, but for life. He will be missed.
-Linda England, Independence, MO
What a blessing to have known Dean Cavanaugh and Nancy these many years, both as a spiritual leader and a great friends to both of us. Earl and Nancy have touched our lives in so many ways and have always been there for us. Our sincere symphony goes out to Nancy, Helen and family.
-Gordon Hansen & Newt Lewis, Kansas City, MO
On September 17, 1992, my triplet daughters were born 9 weeks premature. Sarah, Amy and Marian McCasland were born at 9:14, 9:15 and 9:16 a.m. on 9/17. I saw them briefly after their delivery. We then had many phone calls and visitors, however knowing the seriousness of their condition only wanted to see close friends and family. Eventually, I asked to have my phone turned off and put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on my door due to exhaustion. Tom and I were so worried about the girls. However, when they did wheel me in to the NICU, I glanced to my left and saw the Dean was scrubbing up. Whether or not Tom and I wanted visitors, Earl was there to visit the girls. Tom and I were instantly comforted. He spent so much time praying over each of them. We knew everything was going to be all right. His presence was truly felt when he visited the NICU. When my husband spoke with him months later about his visits, he just smiled. Thank you Dean Cavanaugh.
-Malinda McCasland, Olathe, KS
I am writing online because my handwriting is so bad. I did not know Earl when he was dean, but in conversations afterwards. My excuse for starting conversations with him was my interest in Kansas City history. He patiently explained to me the picture of the cathedral that used to sit in Founders Hall. It was an aerial view of the Cathedral c. 1910 and looked so different from the view now that I needed a lot of help understanding it. He was both interested and patient.
Then somehow he got on to the subject of the Old Chelsea. I only knew it as a “theater” that sat (appropriately) on the grounds of Annie Chambers house. He told me about William Kemper buying the land for the cathedral (which it sure has used!) with the Chelsea locked in. He told me how reporters came out occasionally to tease him about owning a strip joing. My favorite part of the story, which I have passed on, is that when the Chelsea closed on 13th St., he went over and collected advertising match books and distributed them at Christmas parties he attended to create a bit of delicious scandal. I thought: “This is my kind of man.”
I don't know how to say this, but I really appreciated his presence behind the altar, Sunday after Sunday. He didn’t speak, but somehow made a wonderful presence felt. Little as I knew him, I will miss him. And I have to admire Nancy, with whom he chose to spend his life.
-Ron Miriani, Parkville, MO
