John Thomas "Tom" Cady

John Thomas (Tom) Cady passed away on January 8, 2026, at Ramsey Village Continuing Care in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 96 years young. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

"Coach Cady", was born in Des Moines on July 19, 1929. He was the youngest of two children born to John and Doris (McCulloch) Cady. He graduated from North High School and was an active lifelong member of the Polar Bear Club. He served in the Marines and was on the swim team. Tom went on to attend The University of Iowa, playing basketball on the Hawkeye Junior Varsity Team and swimming on the Iowa Swim Team. He later graduated with a four-year degree and a master's in education. Tom became a lifetime fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

In 1951, he married Betty Lou Bradley at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines. Tom then began his long career in the Des Moines Public Schools, teaching at Bird Elementary, Des Moines Tech and spending the majority of his career at Des Moines Lincoln High School. He taught History, Health, and Physical Education classes. He began his coaching career early on, coaching baseball, swimming and wrestling at Tech. Later in his career, he briefly coached gymnastics and soccer. "Jack of All Trades"

But it was his LOVE OF SWIMMING that Coach Cady is renowned for. He began lifeguarding and giving swim lessons at Birdland pool as a American Red Cross instructor in 1946. Tom's teaching and swimming took him from Des Moines Tech to Lincoln High. There he taught P.E. and became the boys and girls swimming and diving coach. He was named coach of year several times while in the Des Moines Metropolitan conference. He was also named the state Coach of the Year by the Iowa Swim Coaches Association in 1973 and was voted into that sports Hall of Fame in 1990. Tom was even called back to Lincoln after retirement to coach Lincoln girls and boys in 1999. During the summers he taught swimming lessons to thousands of kids and adults at his Beaverdale backyard pool. The Des Moines Register wrote an article about him still teaching swim lessons when he was 94. He also competed in Masters Swimming and triathlon events, winning many medals.

Coach Cady was also a lifetime volunteer for the American Red Cross and Special Olympics and received recognition for his long years of volunteering. He officiated high school football and swimming events and was inducted into the Iowa High School Swimming Officials Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the North High Hall of fame. He was also a 50-year volunteer official at the Drake Relays.

Coach Cady is survived by his four daughters: Dawn, Lisa, Jill, and Cory; eleven grandchildren and eighteen great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Betty; his parents, and his brother, Phil Cady.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to the American Red Cross.