Charles A. Cass

Charles Abney "Charley" Cass, 78, created an in-person partnership with the Lord on Saturday, December 17, 2016, when he closed his eyes the final time, and began his New Life. We have much to celebrate. Charley lived his entire life in some form of helping people, always as an encourager, and with his quiet, behind-the-scene service to people in difficult life-places. He moved back to his hometown recently and enjoyed reconnecting with his classmates and friends (old and new) and family. Charley was born in Lampasas, TX, on November 15, 1938, and was able to become an All-American Badger football player, graduating from Lampasas High School in 1957. He attended Tarleton State University for one year, finally graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 1961. While attending the University of Texas, he played football for a while until injuries ended that time, and this allowed him to focus intensely on his ROTC participation. After graduation, he served as an Officer in the US Army, in the Military Police Corps. Upon Honorable Discharge, he renewed his involvement in the real estate world. He was a real estate broker for 57 years, and loved making "creative transactions" and especially real estate trades. Charley was appointed by Governor Preston Smith in 1969 as the founding Executive Director of the Central Texas Council of Governments, was several times a city council member in various communities including Merkel, Texas, Buffalo Gap, Texas, served on several planning commissions, and was president of a Chamber of Commerce. He was active in Seniors and Lawmen Together in the Abilene/Taylor County area. He was also directly appointed by a US Congressman to serve in Washington DC as a regional expert for Central Texas. He was a founding member of the Fellowship of Christian Auctioneers International, and past-President of the Texas Auctioneer's Association. He was a licensed auctioneer for many years, and specialized in real estate auctions. Charley worked with many charities, helping them create and grow their real estate contributions with Charitable Trusts, Gift Annuities, and other funding methods. He was a frequently invited speaker at conferences, television, radio, and civic organizations. In 1993 he was recognized by the Texas House and Senate for his ability to use humor in his approach, even for difficult situations. Charley and his wife Chatty created Merkel West Subdivision where they helped many people rent and buy lots and mobile homes on land that was originally nothing but dirt and an old unpaved street. More recently, he was involved in helping with shelter dogs and animals, with a keen interest in therapy dogs. The most recognizable theme of Charley's life was showing unconditional love, and a deep care and concern for everybody in his life. His prayers for people in his life were constant. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Lee Haist Hunsinger "Chatty" Cass, and his parents Gordon Charles Cass, and Mildred Irene Butts Cass. He has one son, Greg Cass, and a stillborn son, Michael Robert Cass, from his marriage to the former Donna Ruth Childers, also born in Lampasas; step-children Tim Hunsinger, and Cindy Hunsinger and two step-grandchildren, David and Amanda; and cousin Joyce Cass Tangedahl York. We're having an informal-celebration-story-telling on Thursday January 5 at 1:30pm at New Covenant Church in Lampasas... 1604 Central Texas Expwy (Hwy 190). Instead of flowers, please make a donation to people in need, and love your children like Charley loved his family and friends.