John D. Cavanaugh

CAVANAUGH-John D., 49, of Grand Island died Monday, May 14, 2007, at Bryan LGH West, in Lincoln, NE, as the result of a dirt bike accident. John was born December 19, 1957, at Denver, CO, the son of John Joseph and Claribel "Topper" (Sanders) Cavanaugh. Survivors include his wife, Kristy of Grand Island, NE; two sons and daughter-in-law, Jack Joseph Cavanaugh and fiancée Chelsey Schroder, both of Grand Island, NE, Nathan A. and Wendy Bettes of Crescent, IA; one daughter and son-in-law: Jennifer L. and Matt VanBoening of Waukee, IA; mother, Claribel "Topper" Cavanaugh of Omaha, NE; two brothers and a sister-in-law: Scott and Cathy Cavanaugh of Atlanta, GA, Ken Cavanaugh of Omaha, NE; four sisters and three brothers-in-law: Caren and John Kasperbauer of Seattle, Washington, Pamela and Joseph Grier of Omaha, NE, Catherine Thompson of Omaha, NE, Patricia and Charles Bressman of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Ethan, Emma and Bowie, numerous nieces and nephews. John grew up in Denver until the age of ten when he moved with his family to Carroll, IA. He graduated from Kuemper High School in 1976. He worked at the Henry Doorly Zoo as an animal keeper. He was a carrier driver for Metro Air Freight out of Omaha. In 1980 he moved to Grand Island to establish a branch division of Metro Air Freight continuing to drive for the company until becoming a dispatcher/manager. He married the love of his life, Kristy Larsen Bettes on June 4, 1983, at Grand Island, Nebraska. In 1999 he assisted his wife Kristy in operating her American Family Insurance agency office and continued to work with her for a year. He later worked for Pepsi Bottling Company until becoming disabled. In 2004 he completed his Associate Degree in Information Technology at CCC-Grand Island. He began working for Mid Continent as a carrier delivery driver for DHL Air Freight.
He had a wonderful sense of humor and could always put a smile on your face, and everyone who knew him loved him. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors, his pet dogs, taking long drives and snow skiing. He was an animal lover and rescuer. His favorite childhood pets were a raccoon named Scamp and his duck named Daisy that he rescued and cared for as a child. He enjoyed following and investing in the stock market. His father, John J. Cavanaugh, precedes him in death.
Memorial services will be Saturday, May 19, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel. Josh Olbricht will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family as a memorial fund will be established in John's name. To send online condolences, visit www.curranfuneralchapel.com and sign the guest book under obituaries. Curran Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.