John A. Cain

On Wednesday, December 19, at 1 pm with his adoring and devoted wife by his side. John A. Cain lost his long, earthly battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on September 12, 1935 in Jackson, MS. to the late John H. Cain (Cmdr. USN RET.) and Florence P. Cain of Brookhaven, MS.

John was married to the former Anne Easterling of Corpus Christi, TX and was the loving father of Holly C. Somerville (John Q. Somerville) Birmingham, Al and John E. Cain, Richmond, TX. “Pop” was the extremely proud grandfather of Annie and Sam Somerville and loved hearing about their adventures and accolades.

John and Anne were introduced by mutual friends while he was on a two-week leave from the USMC the Christmas of 1958. It was love at first sight and by the end of his leave, John had asked Anne to marry him. The rest is history. They were married in Corpus Christi on March 26, 1960 and he began what would become a lifetime career of “worrying about other people’s money.” The summer of 1959, he became an account executive at Merrill Lynch where he worked for 10 years before moving into portfolio managership in bank trust departments. He worked for Hibernia National Bank from 1985 until 2005 when he managed the successful Tower Capital Appreciation Fund, which was compared to Magellan and the other “big boys” in the Investor’s Business Daily where John was quoted as saying he often felt like he was “hunting bears with a switch.” That was just John.

He grew up as a son of the greatest generation. His father commanded the 145th Seabee Battalion and would be gone for nearly four years but wrote his young son almost daily from wherever he happened to be in the Pacific. The letters which are in a treasured album for John’s children and grandchildren contain many life lessons for a young boy. His dad’s outfit landed on Okinawa with 1st Marine Division and his respect for the “fighting leathernecks” would influence John’s decision some years later.

After the war, John’s odyssey would include crisscrossing the country to nine grade schools (including Brookhaven) where lifelong friendships were made and they resumed years later in Oxford, MS. He attended five Jr. and Sr. High schools with a semester in Guam before heading to CA. for his Jr. and Sr. years at Oxnard Union HS. Finally, to be in a school long enough to play varsity basketball and baseball was all that he had ever wanted. He graduated in 1953 and headed back “home” that fall to “the Harvard of the South” as he fondly called Ole Miss. Four years there with great memories of intermural sports and social events with his SAE brothers. He left in 1957 with his BBA and reported for duty to Quantico, VA. The friendships forged there during Basics School class of 3-57 were some of the most special memories he carried throughout his life.

John will always be remembered for his amazing memory and quick-witted sense of humor. Good friends were often given special nicknames which always seemed to fit. He loved to play tennis and could often be found on Saturday mornings at Aurora Tennis Club afterward. His men’s’ doubles group won the USTA Men’s Volvo National Championship two years in a row in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. more fond memories.

John’s family would like to express their gratitude to his care-giving angels, especially their dear Sally and Glory who adored him as well. St. Tammany Hospice’s faithful and compassionate care will always be remembered and appreciated as well as all of the many acts of kindness and assistance from Christwood, John’s last home on earth.

Friends are invited to attend his services on Saturday, January 5th at Lake Lawn Metairie with visitation beginning at 11:00 am, services at noon. A reception will follow at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family knows that John would appreciate offerings in his memory to St. Philips Episcopal Church’s Memorial Fund, Bastion of New Orleans (providing homes for returning injured veterans and their families) and the USMC Scholarship Fund (provides scholarships for the children of USMC parents especially if the parent was killed or injured in action).

Honorary pallbearers: John E. Cain, John Q. Somerville, Sam Q. Somerville, John G. Callahan (Capt. USMC Ret.) of Alliance, OH., Robert J. Casulli (Capt. USMC Ret.) of Scottsdale, AZ., William A. Chabot (Capt. USMC Ret.) of Upper Black Eddy, PA., David M. Michaux III (Capt. USMC Ret.) of Murrells Inlet, Jay W. Oppenheim (Capt. USMC Ret.) of Metairie, LA., and Philip Ladewig of Dallas, TX.

To view and sign the Funeral Guest Book online, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.