Cass Smith : Obituary

Cass Smith, age 68, of Jasper, Georgia, died Thursday, May 1, 2014, at his home following a courageous 9 month battle against Esophageal Cancer. Cass was born January 2, 1946 at Brooklyn Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Georgia State University in 1970 with a B.S. of Mathematics and in 1973 with a M.B.A. During his working career he worked for Bell South, Keene and KPMG, retiring in 2004. It was while working with Keene that he worked with the 1996 Olympic Games, which was his favorite assignment. He was selected to carry the Olympic Torch during the Torch relay leading up to the opening of the Olympic Games. This was one of the highlights of his life as he was a lifelong lover of the Olympic Games and the spirit of competition they embodied.

In 1999, he and his wife, Joy Smith, moved to the mountains of North Georgia where they built their dream home. They named their home “Serenity” for the serenity they found there. He loved seeing the changing seasons and the hometown feel of Jasper.

In the last four years of his life, Cass volunteered his time and talents at Wildwood Christian Academy, in Marble Hill, as an Odyssey of Mind coach. An avid woodworker, he guided his balsa wood structure Odyssey teams to three World Finals competition placing 16th, 14th, and 3rd respectively. It was through these teams that he accumulated quite a few “honorary grandchildren”. Known for his riddles and practical lessons of problem solving, he was a popular coach. His team nominated him to the Georgia Odyssey of Mind Coaches’ Hall of Fame, which he won.

He leaves behind his beloved wife and soul mate of 42 years, Joy Smith. Daughters, Heather (Trevor) Przybyla Aselton, Camille (Jon) Ladner, Sons, Doug (Gina) Casbon and Phillip (Kim) Casbon. Grandchildren, Ryan (Natalie) Casbon, Kyle Casbon, Dylan Casbon, Ethan Smith, Joy Przybyla, Casslyn Travis, Maxwell Casbon, Mason Ladner, Clay Ladner and Ben Aselton. He is also survived by his “honorary grandchildren” and two Great-Grandchildren, William and Henry Casbon. Sister, April (Jean Michele) Paute.

A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the Chapel of Wildwood Christian Academy (770) 893-3800, 695 Whitley Rd. S., Marble Hill, Georgia 30148. A reception will follow immediately after the Services.

The family will accept flowers or donations can be made to Wildwood Christian Academy for a scholarship in his name to help Odyssey of the Mind teams go to the World Finals.

Cremation Services are provided by Roper Funeral Home & Crematory of Jasper, Georgia.