Gaffney, John W. (1920-2007)
GAFFNEY, LOVETT, KESTEL, NICHOLAS, YOUNG, CAVANAUGH
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 3/31/2010 at 23:47:56
John W. Gaffney - Apr. 25, 1920 - Dec. 17, 2007
John W. Gaffney, age 87, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Monday, December 17, 2007, at Buena Vista Manor in Storm Lake.
John William Gaffney was born on a farm near Lohrville, Iowa, on April 25, 1920, the son of Ida (Lovett) and William Gaffney.
When John was 12 years of age, the family moved to Carroll where his dad, Bill, started a livestock auction business. The family moved to Storm Lake when John was about fifteen. In 1935, Bill bought five acres at what came to be known as “the sale barn corner” north of Storm Lake on Highway 71, and established the Storm Lake Auction Company. John and his brother Dick soon took it over and eventually turned it into a pillar of the local business scene.
For over 45 years, farmers from all over the region brought their livestock every Saturday to the “sale barn” where “Big John”—in his trademark cowboy hat—ran the auction, his booming voice rising above the noise of the arena. Auctioneer, cattle trader, real estate speculator, stock market investor—John was a multi-talented and successful businessman.
John graduated from Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School in 1937 and then attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake where he lettered in three sports as a sophomore. John even had a stint with the local semi-pro baseball team, the White Caps, once playing against Babe Ruth in an exhibition.
Drafted into the army in 1942, John served for over three years at Camp Walters in Mineral Wells, Texas. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, pushing inductees through basic training.
John married Dolores Kestel in 1951. That year, they moved into a new house overlooking the waters of Storm Lake. There they raised three children and resided all of their 56 years together in the same house.
A loving and generous husband and father, John spent his retirement years enjoying time with his children and grandchildren, following his favorite sports teams, and managing his investments.
John is survived by his wife, Dolores, along with his three children: Gaylen Nicholas of Austin, Texas, Gary Gaffney of Storm Lake, and Mark Gaffney of Boulder, Colorado. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Debbie Gaffney of Boulder and his four grandchildren: Clay Nicholas of Austin and Angie, Michelle and John Gaffney of Boulder. In addition, John is survived by his sister, Joan Young of Omaha, Nebraska.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ida Gaffney, sisters Zola Gaffney and Mary Cavanaugh, and brothers Richard and James Gaffney.
Funeral Mass for Mr. Gaffney will be held on Friday, December 21, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call on Thursday, December 20, 2007, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. and a parish vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m., both at the funeral home during visitation hours.
Copyright © 2007, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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