James William Kavanaugh

     James (Jim) Kavanaugh passed away suddenly on Monday, October 6th, during his 11-year battle with Parkinson’s. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by family and friends and was recently honored by coworkers for his 55th anniversary with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), an organization to which he dedicated his working life. That, along with his family, were pillars of a life filled with fun, family, farm, and friends.

     James William Kavanaugh was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on December 11, 1944. He grew up on the family farm near Waterbury, Nebraska. Jim was the third of seven children born to William Quentin Kavanaugh and Helen Catherine (Ella) Beacom. Jim and his siblings were raised around Waterbury, and Jim graduated from Emerson Sacred Heart High School in 1963. After graduation, Jim joined the South Dakota Army National Guard and enrolled in the IBEW to become an electrician, also receiving training in refrigeration. Around that time, he met Grace Calhoun, and they were married on September 6, 1969, at Saint Michael's in Leeds, Iowa. This marriage produced four children: Ann Marie, William Quentin, James Joseph, and John Leo, all born in Sioux City, Iowa.

     In Jim’s professional career with the IBEW, he advanced from an apprentice to a journeyman and traveled across the Midwest working as an electrician. Jim eventually became the Vice President and later the President of IBEW Local 231. For the last 15 years of his career, Jim served as the Business Administrator of the same electrical union where he began, supporting the needs of his union family. His numerous community service interests also included serving on the Executive Board of the Northwest Iowa Labor Council, the Electrical Board in Sioux City, President of the Building Trades, member of the Iowa Electrical Council, the Municipal Credit Board, the Northwest Iowa Credit Union Chapter Member, the Food Bank Board of Sioux City, the Executive Board of the United Way, the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, a Third Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, and member of the Nativity Church Men’s Club for several years.

     Jim’s career was important, but his family always came first. He spent weekends working on the family farm with his loved ones, and this experience inspired Jim and Grace to buy their own ranch in 1998. Even after retirement, they continued to spend time with their children and grandchildren on the farm during the week and on weekends. When they weren't at the farm, they enjoyed camping with friends and cheering on their grandchildren in various sports and 4-H activities.

     Jim is survived by his wife, Grace, his children and their spouses: Ann and Dan Oatman, Will Kavanaugh and Jen Law, James and Ann Kavanaugh, and John and Dana Kavanaugh, along with their 13 grandchildren. Also surviving Jim are his siblings Geni Moore, Cathy Kavanaugh, Joe Kavanaugh, Helen and Gene Stout, and Dan and Michaela Kavanaugh. He is preceded in death by his parents, Quentin and Ella Kavanaugh, his brother Patrick, and infant son.

     There will be a visitation for Jim at Nativity Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa, on Friday, October 10th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 p.m. with the family present. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 11th, at 10:00 am at Nativity Catholic Church, with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City.

     Jim’s family sincerely thanks everyone who shared thoughts, prayers, and condolences. Also, many thanks to friends who visited, prayed, or simply thought of Jim and our family during this hard time. Seeing the outpouring of kindness from Jim’s friends has made his passing easier to bear, knowing so many share in the family’s grief.