Richard Cavanaugh

Richard Cavanaugh, 72, of Benton, TN passed away on December 15, 2018. He was born on August 7, 1946 to the late Agnes Dickerson Cavanaugh at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. Richard never met his late father, Glenn Irwin Dickerson, who was killed during WWII before he was born. He was lovingly adopted by his late father, Ford Cavanaugh.
Richard earned a Theology Degree from Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, TN, where he married the love of his life of 50 years, Barbara (Harlow) Cavanaugh in June of 1968. Shortly after graduation, Richard & Barbara moved to Florida, had two boys (Rick & Sam) and pastored Miami Temple & Tampa First churches before moving to Alaska in 1975 for missionary work. During his 7 years in Alaska, Richard had three more kids (Candace, Eric, and Angela), and pastored the Kodiak Island Church before moving back to Florida in 1982.
After landing in Orlando, FL Richard quickly developed a passion for fine woodworking and became a well-know craftsman of high-end furniture and custom cabinetry. Richard further developed his passion and reputation for fine woodworking in 1993 when he moved back home to Collegedale, TN, and started his own company, High Style Kitchens with daughter, Candace, and Son-in-law Mark Woodward. Before retiring from woodworking in 2010, Richard developed another fine woodworking company, which he considered his crowning achievement, Ellis-Dickerson Inc. Richard’s mastery of fine woodworking, craftsmanship and thoughtful design can be enjoyed in beautiful homes throughout Orlando, FL, Portland, OR, SE Tennessee and N Georgia, on Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain and Downtown Chattanooga. Richard ultimately retired to the town of Benton, TN where he lived comfortably and faithfully attended the Benton Seventh-Day Adventist Church for 8 years.
Richard was well-known for his deep belief in, and support of christian education. He loved being a husband and father, and enjoyed classical music, photography, and playing the organ in his free-time. Richard was a deeply religious and God-fearing man who loved his family dearly. He was also loved dearly and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Barbara Harlow Cavanaugh; (children): Richard Cavanaugh & Petia Kostadinova, Samuel & Amy Cavanaugh, Candace Cavanaugh Woodward & Mark Woodward, Eric & Julie Cavanaugh, Angela Cavanaugh Sharp & James Sharp; (grandchildren): Patrick Cavanaugh, Sam & Fisher Cavanaugh, Matthew & Ethan Woodward, Adenine, Xanthine & Tyrosine Cavanaugh, Catherine Cavanaugh Sharp; (twin brother & family): Glenn & Gail Cavanaugh, and nephews Brice & Stephen Cavanaugh; (sisters & family): Sandy Cavanaugh Douglass & Herb Douglass, Sherry Cavanaugh Wearner, Duane Wearner, and nephew Kyle Wearner.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm Friday, December 28, 2018 at the Collegedale Seventh-Day Church with son Richard Cavanaugh providing the eulogy. Richard will be laid to rest at the Collegedale Memorial Park with a private family service prior to the celebration of life service. You are invited to share a personal memory of Richard or your condolences with his family on his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com.