Ramsey Shane Cavanah passed away the morning of February 8, 2022. Shane was born on August 2, 1941, to Ralph O’Dell (Cotton) and Doris Ann (Ramsey) Cavanah in Macon, Missouri. Shane had a difficult birth and if not for the forceful hand and voice of his Grandma Buster, may have never taken his first breath. After stops in Illinois and Bevier, MO, the Cavanahs relocated to Cotton and Doris’s hometown of Marceline, MO. This became Shane’s hometown and played and important part in his upbringing and his life in general. Shane was the oldest of four boys for Cotton and Doris. His younger brothers (Dave, Kem, and Lex) would follow in the oncoming years. He would even be the one to drive Doris to the hospital to deliver Lex in 1958.
Shane grew up in an athletic household, playing multiple sports even into his 50’s. His first love was baseball; however, football would garner most of his attention later on in life. After graduation Shane headed to William Jewell to play football, but a coaching change forced him to transfer to a different college to continue his education. Northeast Missouri State would be his next stop where he would letter in football as a quarterback and punter. Kirksville would also be the location where he found the love of his life, Cheryl Jean Mossbarger, a beauty from Brookfield who would become his wife and life companion in 1965.
The coaching DNA that was installed by Cotton led the two educators to many stops throughout Missouri over the next 21 years. Stops in Nevada, Knox County, Princeton, Centralia, back to Princeton, Hamilton, and back to Nevada played out until the Fall of 1976. Coach Cavanah would garner a state championship for Princeton in 1968 and a 2nd place finish in Nevada in 1975. Shane would eventually change professions and work for M.F.A./Shelter Insurance from 1977-1988, becoming one of the most successful agents in the company.
During this time period the young couple added to their family. Michael Shane was born in 1967, Bradley Ryan followed in 1971, and concluded with the addition of Douglas Patrick (Trey) in 1976. The boys would lead Shane and Cheryl to numerous football fields, wrestling matches, track meets, baseball diamonds, and basketball gyms throughout the 70’s, 80’s and the 90’s. Followed by a second wave of being supporters as all three sons became educators and coaches of various sports.
The competitive drive raised its head again as Shane left Shelter Insurance and Nevada for his hometown of Marceline in 1988. After counseling his oldest son not to get into education, Shane was back in the classroom and on the sidelines for MHS. He led the Tigers to a state runner-up finish in 1989 and made several trips to the post season during his time with the Tigers. Marceline would be his home from then on until his passing. After his first tenure with the Tigers, Shane would coach in Sweet Springs, Trenton, Richmond, Brookfield, and conclude with one final season at the helm of the Tigers of Marceline. During this time Shane celebrated his 200th win on November 7, 2003, with a Bell Game Bulldog victory and then also his 250th when the Tigers defeated Westran on October 9, 2009. Shane would end his career with a 255-119-3 record, which puts him in the top 10 all-time list for coaches in the state of Missouri. He had the distinction of coaching in 5 decades.
Tragedy struck the Cavanahs as the lost their oldest son, Mike, in an automobile accident in 1995. The family rallied around each other and with the strength of Shane and Cheryl persevered. The turn of the century brought much happiness as they welcomed with open arms their five grandchildren. Macy Elizabeth was the 1st to arrive in 2001. Lauren Camille and Layne Michael would follow in 2003. Livia Jo would be presented in 2006 and Latimer T, would burst on the scene in 2010. This would lead to the third wave of being spectators for Shane and Cheryl Along with the athletic events, dance recitals and stage productions were added to the docket keeping a burning path between Marceline, Chillicothe, and Richmond.
Ramsey Shane Cavanah was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (2012), The Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2000), and the Nevada (MO) High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2019). Shane served as the president of Phi Sigma Epsilon at NEMSU (Truman State) and worked in broadcasting his entire life. He enjoyed being the center of attention whether it be at halftime of a football game or on stage dressed and singing as Elvis.
Throughout his life he was a fan of Missouri Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chiefs, but Shane’s heart was always with his family and Marceline. He became an ambassador for the town and one of its biggest supporters. He authored three books about his life experiences, and even co-hosted a morning radio show up until 2021.
Shane wore many hats during his lifetime and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all the communities that he touched throughout his life. His humor and wittiness, as well as his lectures will be sorely missed. Whether you called him Coach Cavanah, Mr. Cavanah, Tiger Shane, Papa, Dad, or husband, his fingermarks appear on many lives….and we were better for it.
Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Delaney Funeral Home in Marceline with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Friday, February 11 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Linn County Humane Society and mailed to 1720 N Missouri Ave., Marceline, MO 64658.
