Don Cassens

Rudolph Donald "Don" Cassens, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at age 84. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth Dale Cassens; and sister, Jeanne Cassens Chesnut. He was born March 25, 1928 in Fort Pierce, Florida to Rudolph F. Cassens and Marian W. Cassens. He began his education at Ft. Pierce Elementary School but soon transferred to The Bolles Military Academy in Jacksonville, Florida from which he graduated in 1946. He continued his education at the University of Florida, including a year at Iowa State College, with a degree in Agriculture in 1951. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Artillery, US Army. He was deployed to Korea from May 1952 to May 1953 where he served with distinction earning the UN Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and both the Air Medal and Bronze Star, awarded for meritorious service in both Air and Land operations. After his honorable discharge from the Armed Services in 1955, he began a successful 30-year career with the International Harvester/Navistar Corporation as Zone Manager from which he retired in 1986. In addition to his distinguished service and professional careers, Don was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hunting from a very young age. He also pursued his other passions, gardening, traveling and crossword puzzles. One of his great joys came from building a cabin in the North Georgia mountains with his brother, Dale and family. He served as both Deacon and Elder and Chairman of the Building Committee, Educational Wing at the Conyers Presbyterian Church which he began attending in 1971 after moving to Rockdale County. But of all of his achievements, he was proudest of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Arlene F. Cassens; and their 4 children, Patricia C. Smith and her husband, Charles C. Smith, Jr., St. Marys, GA, Jean C. Stout, Reno, NV, Denise C. Kansas and her husband, Thomas Kansas, Houston, TX, and Philip D. Cassens and his wife, Raphaelle W. Cassens, Los Angeles,CA ; 5 grandsons; 3 granddaughters; 3 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald "Jerry" Cassens of Knoxville, TN; and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. at Conyers Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tom Sparks officiating. Family will receive friends from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Those desiring may make contributions to Conyers Presbyterian Church, 911 Main Street, Conyers, GA 30012. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Rd., Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Don Cassens

March 25, 1928 - March 19, 2013