(From MSCA president Kevin L. Williams)

Sad news shared from Greg Cravens yesterday that the founder of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association, Jack Cassady, has passed away.

Back on March 28, 1987, his poster brought together many cartoonists (MSCA originally the Memphis Cartoonists Group) at Steak and Ale on Summer Avenue.

It’s thanks to Jack that today we are inspired to come together and promote cartoon as art almost 40 years later.

Greg shares, “He was published in a great many magazines back in the day.  I first met him when he lived here in Memphis and would come to the post office at MSU every week with packets of cartoons to mail to various publishers.  He helped form our group before moving to North Carolina, where he continued to cartoon, and completed literally thousands of skydives, which were his favorite hobby.”

He was a super kind man, having once said “One president to another” while discussing the Association history.  His art was unparalleled and very fun.  Not only had he started the MSCA, but he seemed to start or join a cartoonists group in every city where he lived.

(Photos below shared by Lin Workman, and some parachuting fun from the MSCA History Book gathered by Greg Cravens.)

Lin Workman, Jack Cassady, Greg Cravens, Kevin Williams at an SEC/NCS meeting in Georgia- all have been MSCA presidents.

Sam Ray and Jack Cassady.

The MSCA and the Southeastern Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society at The Rendezvous.

During COVID shut-downs, the MSCA met on Zoom (thanks to Kevin Thorn), and Jack came along.  Here is a great photo Lin saved of Jack laughing heartily! 

In this photo: Kevin Williams, Lin Workman, Antonio Johnson, Jim Palmer, Jack Cassady, Jason Negen, and Greg Cravens. You can hear the conversation with Jack on the first episode of the “Drawing Funny” podcast. (Follow the link or check it out on Spotify or Apple podcasts.)

Fun with Parachutes!

Jack created, produced and hosted the Public TV series called “Funny Business, the Art in Cartooning” in conjunction with his good friend Harmon McBride, the executive producer of Tennessee’s largest Public TV station, WDCN in Nashville, TN. Thirteen half hour episodes of the popular series were seen in approximately 38 states over a three year period. He also taught cartooning at the University of Memphis in the Continuing Education program.

Photo shared by Jack Cassady on social media in 2017.

Art by Jack Cassady.

Clubs & Organizations:

National Cartoonists Society (NCS)
Graphic Artists Guild (GAG)
Life Member, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)
Life Member, Special Forces Association (SFA)
Life Member, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Past Member, Board of Trustees, Tri County Community College (NC)
Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society)
Association of the U. S. Army (AUSA)
Administrative Board, Ranger United Methodist Church
Past Member, The U. S. Parachute Association (USPA)
The Florida Expeditionary Group (FEG)
Past member, National Alumni Board, Furman University
Past President, Suncoast Furman University Alumni Club
Founder/Past President, Mid-South Cartoonists Association
Founder/Past President, Suncoast Inkslingers Club, Inc.
Past President, Blue Ridge Chapter MOAA

You can find Jack’s complete bio at: https://toonmaker.com/about.shtml

Some messages about Jack’s passing:

Aw, thank you for sharing this with me, Kevin. Jack was a wonderful man and incredible cartoonist. I last saw him at the Southeast Chapter meeting in Knoxville about a year and a half ago. I sure will miss him.

He emailed me his Monday Funnies for many years. And I wondered why I hadn’t gotten them lately.

Prayers for Brenda.

Thank you again for letting me know.

John Rose
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Very sorry to hear that. I met Jack a couple of times in past NCS-related visits, and he was a very friendly and encouraging. I still have one of his books.

Charles Brubaker
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Kevin,

Thank you for letting us know, and I’m very sorry to hear about Jack.

I never got to meet him, but I’m grateful for what he started. That first gathering in 1987, and the group he built around promoting cartoons as art, is something I’m glad to be a part of today.

Sam Ray was also a great inspiration to me.

Ron Hicks
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Kevin, what a nice story to read. I hope there is a space where Jack will be remembered.

Jeannie Schulz
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Sorry to hear about the loss of your founder. I hope you shared many happy times with him. Lots of times it’s tough to take.

Prayers.

Greg Berg
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Hi Kevin,

I’m very sorry to hear about Jack Cassady’s passing. It’s clear from
your message how much he meant to the MSCA and how significant his
contribution was in bringing local cartoonists together.

Please pass on my condolences to Greg, Lin, and everyone in the group
who knew him. If there’s anything I can do to help share the news or
support the group at this time, please let me know.

Elisa
Event Manager
Memphis Drawing Group