Memorial
Timothy Lewis Canfield, 76, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 14th, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, at St. Ludmila Catholic Church. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, beginning at 12:00 PM, at the church. The private family burial will be at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
He is survived by his loving wife Michele Miller Canfield; two sons, Thomas (Rae) Canfield and Daniel Canfield; stepchildren, Stacey (Mitch) Crist, and Zach Ovel; a sister, Cathy Canfield-Jepson; brother, Ted Canfield; grandchildren-Ari Canfield, Chloe Crist, Hadley Crist, Josie Crist, Tylamin Ovel, Joslynn Ovel, Annabelle Ovel; sister-in-law, Phyllis Canfield; and many loving extended family members and friends.
Tim was preceded in death by parents, a brother, Don Canfield, sister Carol Drahozal, and a son, Sam Canfield, and daughter, Sarah Canfield.
Timothy Lewis Canfield was born January 12, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Lucille Canfield. Tim attended Washington High School, Kirkwood and The University of Iowa. He was a member of St. Ludmila Catholic Church. At age 12 Tim picked up his dad’s 1932 Regal Resonator and continued to play for the next 64 years.
Tim had played with over 30 different groups in his time; some of whom opened for the Carpenters, 38 Special, The Association, Molly Hatchet and the Tokens. Tim had many ballroom performances- Matters, Lakeside, Gala, Prairie Moon, Highway Gardens, Library, Armar, Danceland, Dance-Mor, and the Col Ballroom.
Tim's first gig was in 1964, he said he was shaking like a leaf after playing guitar and singing the opening song; but was hooked for life. He called himself the "saver", it was never "let's put a band together"; but more of getting a call "hey we need a bass player” His favorite thing later in his career, was attending jam sessions and hanging out with local musicians for a night of fun.
In 2011, Tim was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (IRRMA), as an individual musician. Tim was honored to be there among so many other greats, many of which he had an opportunity to play with. Tim could play any song just by listening once and then joining right in; he was the definition of rhythm and harmony. He was a humble man and had a huge heart for family and friends.
Memorials may be directed to the family.