KAVANAUGH, Terence Michael 'Terry' 1940 - 2015

KAVANAUGH, FRANK, SMALL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 6/18/2015 at 14:58:35

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, June 8, 2015
Page 6

Terence Michael KAVANAUGH

Terence Michael KAVANAUGH, age 75, of Flagstaff, Arizona, was granted his angel wings on May 28. "Terry" was born on March 9, 1940, the son of Edward and Vera KAVANAUGH, loving husband of Laura KAVANAUGH. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Flagstaff. He is survived by his devoted wife Laura and three children: son Patrick who resides in Maui, Hawaii, daughters Kelly FRANK and husband Mark, Sarah SMALL and husband Samuel, along with his grandson Sebastian SMALL and a new grandchild on the way, all of whom live in Flagstaff. His first-born son Kevin preceded him.

Terry was one of ten children who grew up on a dairy farm in Beal City, Michigan. He played football in high school and went on to graduate with an associate's degree in printing, from Ferris State College. He met his beautiful wife Laura while still in college and they were married a year later in the fall of 1961. Soon afterwards, they moved to downtown Chicago where he managed a commercial printing company for six years. In 1966 they moved to Saginaw, Michigan.

During the early years, he and Laura started Kavanaugh Trucking, a commercial trucking company that has transported bulk mail for the United States Postal Service throughout the state of Michigan for the past 50 years.

Aside from a very diversified and successful busienss career, Terry was also very spiritual. Even from an early age, he was a seeker of wisdom and knowledge and eventually started Transcendental Meditation (TM) in 1972, along with wife Laura. This major influence on their lives, eventually led them to turn their family home into the local TM center for the following 12 years. In 1984 they moved to Fairfield, Iowa, to become part of the larger TM community.

During the next 31 years in Fairfield, Terry worked in the area of consulting, marketing, and sales management on many projects with an array of companies both in the United States and abroad. However, Terry's true interest involved philanthropic endeavors. Throughout his life he silently reached out and helped those individuals and organizations that touched his tender heart.

Whether at work or play, Terry always found time to make people laugh. No matter the situation, his clever wit consistently put a smile on someone's face and that's what he will be remembered for, without a doubt. At the same time, his warm, gentle nature comforted and supported so many throughout his life. His willingness to lend a helping hand or ear to anyone in need made Terry very special among those he met each day. His compassionate, forgiving, patient presence... combined with his playful humor, unconditional love and wisdom, made Terry's bright light shine beyond the stars.

Some of Terry's hobbies included long walks, good movies, musical events, reading the morning paper, road trips, sporting evengs, theatrical performances and family gatherings. Although Terry considered himself an amateur photographer, when a film developer spotted one of his photos, he convinced Terry to enter the photo into the International Kodak competition, where Terry was awarded the International Kodak Award. The photo, a beautiful portrait of an all-but-forgotten, special needs fisherman went on to create fame for the kind man named "Willie" and led to his becoming a local celebrity within his own home town.

Some of Terry's favorite activities included long walks, good movies, live music, theatrical performances and reading a host of morning newspapers while visiting with friends. He also enjoyed sporting events, road trips, photography and, most of all family, gatherings.

For those who wish to attend the celebration of Terry's life, a memorial will be held in the Henry Ogden Clark Auditorium at Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment on Sunday, June 14th at 10:30am in Fairfield, Iowa.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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