Edward Willets Cassin, Jr.

He was born in San Antonio, TX on September 25, 1921. As a Boy Scout he earned every Merit Badge possible and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School.

His ranching career began at age 17 when he leased Hillingdon Ranch near Comfort, Texas. In 1943 he moved to the Cassin family ranch in Batesville, TX, where he continued to pursue his love of ranching until his death. He had a deep respect for the land and for his heritage. He was a true gentleman. Ed was one of the last of a dying breed, the old-time cowboy. During his lifetime of ranching, he saw the many changes from transporting livestock on trains to using helicopters for round ups. His passing represents the end of an era.

He kept his connections with San Antonio through his memberships in The German Club, The Order of the Alamo, and The Texas Order of St. Hubertus. He was a lifetime member of the San Antonio Zoological Society, and a past member of The Texas Cavaliers. Ed, a Director Emeritus of The San Antonio Livestock Exposition, was honored as a founding member in 2006 for his fifty years of service.

Ed was instrumental in the successful efforts of the late '50's and early '60's to eradicate the screwworm in Texas and the Southwest. He was one of the original fundraisers to generate the capital for this groundbreaking program. The livestock producers, game managers, and land stewards of today owe Ed and those other members of The Southwest Animal Research Foundation an incalculable debt.

He participated in The Texas Commemorative Longhorn Trail Drive in 1966, from Texas to Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, William Cassin and one sister, Helen Elder Cassin. Survivors include one sister, Storrow Cassin Sommer of Bethesda, MD; four nieces, Evelyn Cassin Sprott and husband, Hugh (Stappye) of Batesville, TX, Charlotte Cassin of Uvalde, TX, Susan Sommer Futter and husband, Jeffrey of Cold Spring Harbor, NY, Nancy Sommer Gariepy and husband, Mark of Vienna, VA and nephew, Edward Sommer and wife, Tracy of Wilmette, IL. He is also survived by six great-nieces, five great-nephews, four great-great-nieces, one great-great-nephew, and his lifelong friend and companion, Dottie Leslie.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

FRIDAY

JULY 24, 2015

10:00 A.M.

CASSIN RANCH CEMETERY

Rev. Dr. Louis Zbinden officiating.

Pallbearers are Herb Stumberg, Eric Stumberg, Richard Traylor, Brian Blackbird, Edward Sommer, Corey Cline, Will Cassin. Honorary Pallbearers are Mac Northington, David C. Dick, Roy Leslie, Gregory Pasztor, Jim Stinebaugh, Jim Donnell, Jamie Donnell, Billito Donnell, Rick Tate, Bodie Davidson, Bobby Hawkins and Hugh (Stappye) Sprott.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Boysville, Inc., P.O. Box 369, Converse, TX 78109 or the San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 200230, San Antonio, TX 78220.