Dennis Cawley, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters on Saturday, July 19, following a brain hemorrhage.

Dennis was raised on a farm northeast of Lawrence, KS. He was an All-State end on the Lawrence High School state championship football team before accepting a St. Benedict's College scholarship over scholarship offers from several large state universities. As a senior, he served as football team captain and was highlighted in Sports Illustrated’s Small College Football edition. After graduation, Dennis worked as a graduate assistant coach for football, basketball, and baseball at St. Benedict’s. 

Dennis was drafted into the Army and served honorably for two years at Fort Benning, GA. After service, he worked for a major department store as a Personnel Manager in Little Rock, AR., and Lafayette, LA.

Moving back to the Kansas City area, Dennis transitioned to the railroad industry. He was a trainman with the Frisco Railroad, then became one of the original trainers at the newly founded Conductor Training Center at Johnson County Community College (JCCC). He worked for Burlington Northern and was an associate and adjunct professor at JCCC. Dennis developed corporate training programs used not only by company employees but by other major railroads and short lines. He developed specific JCCC programs to train students to be placed with various railroads around the country. 

Dennis committed his life to supporting his faith, family, and education. He married Janet O’Sullivan in 1964 and they have four daughters and six grandchildren. Dennis was an active member of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee, Kansas. He served as head of CYO football, a member of the School Board and Knights of Columbus. He also coached CYO football and basketball. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities, sports, his Model A car club, reunions with friends from high school, the railroad, and the CYO football team he coached, and especially spending time on his nearby hobby farm where he grazed cattle and hosted family and friends.

Dennis is survived by Janet, his wife of 61 years; daughters Debbie Moeller (Mike, deceased), Carolyn Cawley, Michelle Masoner (Chris), and Jennifer Cawley; grandchildren Remi, Mack, and Hollis Moeller and James, Paul, and Maggie Masoner. 

He is also survived by siblings Robert "Bob" (Barbara, deceased), Galen (Cathy), Phyllis Forchee (Jerry, deceased), Warren David, and many beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Jr. and Frances Seifner Cawley, and siblings Fr. Thomas Cawley, CMI, Marie Ice (Tony), and Evelyn Desch (George). 

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff at The University of Kansas Health System who, over the last five years, ensured Dennis lived with strength and died with dignity.

All services will be held Tuesday, July 29 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS. 

Rosary: 9:30 AM

Visitation: 9:45 AM

Mass: 11:00 AM 

Luncheon immediately following

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Dennis G. Cawley Scholarship at Benedictine College, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee, KS, the Mike Moeller Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park, KS, or the University of Kansas Health System.