Solomon Senior District Judge Casseb

Senior District Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr. Retired, of San Antonio, Texas and Laredo Texas, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2009 at the age of 94. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on June 1, 1915 to the late Solomon J. and Annie Barberio Casseb. Reared in the San Antonio, Texas, Judge Casseb attended Central Catholic High School, St. Mary's University, the University of Texas Law and was admitted to practice in 1938.

He enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Air Force at the outbreak of World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of Major after service overseas.

Judge Casseb returned to private practice of law until his appointment, and thereafter election to two terms as Judge of the 57th District Court. He also served as Presiding Judge of the District Courts of Bexar County, and as Presiding Judge for the Fourth Administrative District.

He thereafter returned to the private practice of law until 1985, when he acquired senior status, and was currently serving as a Senior District Judge of Texas. Judge Casseb was also a member of the Advisory Committee to the Supreme Court of Texas, and of the Joint Task Force. He presided over the critical phases of the Pennzoil versus Texaco case which resulted in the largest jury award in American jurisprudence, and which judgment has been upheld by the Appellate Courts of Texas. Judge Casseb received the Texas Bar Foundation's 1987 Outstanding Jurist Award.

In 1961, he was chosen the Outstanding Ex-Student of St. Mary's University and later was presented the St. Thomas More Award. He was named the Outstanding Judge of 1965 by the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and also received a citation for his contributions to the legal profession from the American Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Casseb has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio Bar Foundation and the Laredo/Webb County Bar Association.

In 1991, the Judge was named Mr. South Texas at the Annual Washington Birthday Celebration in Laredo, and also that year he was awarded the Insigne Verbum Award from Incarnate Word College. The Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr. Professorship was established in his honor in 1992 at the University of Texas Law School. Judge Casseb was a member of the San Antonio Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association, an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

He served as Vice-President of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, on the Texas Judicial Counsel, on the Board at Santa Rosa Medical Center and the San Antonio Heart Foundation. For many years Judge Casseb proudly served as Co-Trustee of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the special and loving care of Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa, Jr.

Judge Casseb is survived by his three sons, Judge Sol Casseb III and wife, Celeste; Chris Casseb, and Joe Casseb and wife, Elizabeth; long time law partner, James H. Pearl and wife, Kay; grandchildren, Courtney Smith, Casey Casseb, Lauren Belden and Claire Casseb; great grandchildren, Emily Glynn, Colby Smith and Kennedy Smith; brothers, George Casseb, Sr. and wife, Constance and Joe F. Casseb and wife, Mary; sisters, Genevieve Cattan and Florence Casseb; and numerous nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flower, the family requests memorial contributions be given to the San Antonio Bar Foundation or a charity of choice.

The family will have a private graveside service.