Lawrence McCauley

Lawrence Paul McCauley was born on February 3, 1942, the first-born son of Lawrence and Anna Mae (Palmisano) McCauley. Young Larry was a gifted student at St. Agnes Catholic grade school and initially felt a calling to enter the priesthood. Education, vocations and a dedication to something greater than himself became a central theme in this life. He attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary High School where he excelled in the classroom meeting some of his closest life-long friends, graduating in 1960. He continued his educational journey at Cardinal Glennon College. As a senior, he was tasked with organizing the religion classes at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in South St. Louis. There a chance meeting of Barbara Ewersmann would change his life.

Still believing at the time that he was called to enter the priesthood, he went on to Kenrick Seminary to continue his studies after graduating with a degree in Philosophy from Cardinal Glennon. A few years later, he was called to a different role outside the priesthood and left Kenrick a year and half before becoming a priest. He would claim that he left for other reasons, but all evidence pointed to that young woman he had met years before at Immaculate Heart. After a short courtship, Larry and Barb were married on August 5, 1967. Larry, still intent on making a difference, decided that teaching and coaching were perhaps his true calling. And they were. He began his teaching career at St. John the Baptist Grade School and a year later, moved to the High School. He taught English and History later becoming a Guidance Counselor all while also coaching Varsity Soccer and serving as the Assistant Varsity Baseball coach with his good friend Rick Koettker. He had a true bond with his fellow teachers, his students and his players that continued throughout his life. Though he left the teaching profession after 17 remarkable years, Larry remained, in many respects, a teacher and coach for the rest of his life.

In March of 1975, he and Barbara's son Sean Patrick was born, and three years later their daughter Bridget Erin. Their two children became his two most important students and players. The rest of his life would be dedicated to his family always putting them first.

After leaving his career in teaching, Larry worked as the Manager of the Employee Assistance Program for Anheuser-Busch for thirteen wonderful years where he helped many employees suffering from alcohol and drug abuse. Larry's commitment to service never really ended.

He was a die-hard Cardinal baseball fan rarely missing a game on TV or radio. From Stan Musial and Ken Boyer to Adam Wainwright and Albert Pujols, he lived and died with the ballclub and had the good fortune to attend many World Series games for the second winningest franchise in baseball history. He was a student of history, a prolific reader, and was politically involved working as a volunteer at the election polls for many years.

Though his presence will be missed, his light will continue in all those souls he touched, most importantly in his 6 beloved grandchildren, Henry Mitchell Eardley, Julia Kate Eardley, Margaret Caroline McCauley, Peter McCauley Eardley, Patrick Seamus McCauley, and Maureen Catherine McCauley.

His Catholic faith was always his guide, and the Church's dedication to social justice led him to make a difference in so many ways and in so many lives. For that he will be truly missed and is irreplaceable.

A Memorial Mass for Larry will be said on February 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish 4900 Ringer Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63129 followed by a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, Larry requested donations to the Shamrock Flower Fund for special flowers in honor of Larry.