Rev. Dr. John Claude Cavendish
The Rev. Dr. John Claude Cavendish passed peacefully in his home Thursday night, two days into his 95th year. Son of Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish, son of the ninth Duke of Devonshire and Helen Anna Lippold Griffith. Adopted son of Dr. Gates Claude Griffith. He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth Schultz Cavendish of Zurich, Switzerland and son Hansel Cavendish of Tel Aviv, Israel, and brother Dr. Frederick Numa Griffith of Baltimore, Md.
Places of study include: John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.; University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University, New York, N.Y.; University of Southern California, Los Angeles; University of Zürich, Switzerland; Jung Institute, Zurich; and Mansfield College, Oxford, England and served as the North America Development Chair of Mansfield College. “Wanderlust,” he called it. Taught Psychology at the Jung Institute and at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.; counseling, psychology, and ethics at the Episcopal Theological Seminary, Lexington, Ky.; history at Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky.
Ordained into priesthood in the Diocese of Long Island, New York December 16, 1961. Received his Bachelor of Arts from John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., 1952; Masters of Divinity from the Divinity School of Berkeley, California;Doctor of Psychology, University of San Francisco, 1965; Doctorate of Divinity from the Episcopal Seminary of Lexington; and Doctorate of Ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Ky., 1980.
From 1945-1948, he served the United States Maritime Service, Naval Reserve. First Lieutenant Marine Corps, Korean War. Chaplain, Concord California Naval Base 1958-61.
From 1955-57, John worked at the Research Personnel Director at Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, N.Y. In 1957, he worked as the office manager at United Home Services, Los Angeles, Calif., where he met and worked on houses belonging to Hollywood celebrities. He later remodeled houses in Los Angeles.
In ministry he served the Trinity Church, San Francisco, 1961-63; as Associate Minister of Saint Thomas Church, Hollywood, 1964-65; Christ Church Episcopal Church, Richmond, Ky. 1966-1973; St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church, 1973-75; Walnut Hill Church, first pastor after restoration, he served for 25 years; Interim Minister at Episcopal Church of Beattyville, Ky.
Survived by his son the Rev. Dr. Russell R. Rechenbach, II; special son, James Caldwell (Francesca) of California; sister-in-law, Beatrice Griffith of Baltimore, Md.; granddaughter, Danielle Hatfield; nieces and nephews: Clarke Griffith (Sam Cagnina) of New York, N.Y., Lydia Nitya Griffith of Richmond, Va., Ben Griffith (Beata) of Harrodsburg, Pa.; special friends Dr. Angela Hurley, Dr. John and Irene Ragland, Frances Barr, Susan Rivera, Bobbye Atha, Debra Hensley and Amanda Burchfield; and members of St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church and Walnut Hill Church.
Memorial service were held at St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church, Tuesday December 7, with visitation at Noon and service at 1 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Walnut Hill Church in Lexington. Priests officiating: The Right Rev. Bishop Mark Van Koevering, the Rev. Dr. Duane Smith and the Rev. Dr. Michael Ward. Pallbearers: Brian Hatfield, Andrew Graves, Jim Graves, Dr. John Johnstone, David Lewis and the Rev. Dr. David Sharrard.
Donations may be made to St. Hubert’s Episcopal Church and Walnut Hill Church, Lexington, Ky., White Oak Pond Church, Richmond, Ky. and Hospice Care Plus.