Submitted by
Vicki Ebert

James Hugh Cassidy

BLACKWELL — James Hugh Cassidy of Blackwell died Thursday evening, Nov. 17, 2005, in Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home. He was 81.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the chapel of Roberts and Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Jeff Koch of First Christian Church officiating. A private family burial will be in Braman Cemetery.
James Hugh Cassidy was born May 27, 1924, on a farm west of Braman, the son of Michael Joseph and Viola Bryan Cassidy. He grew up in the Braman area attending Rockfalls and Dilworth schools. During his senior year of high school, he attended Blackwell High School, graduating in 1942.
On Oct. 31, 1942, he entered the military, serving in the 7th Army Air Force and flew 40 missions on B-24 bombers in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following his discharge on Sept. 13, 1945, he attended college in Pittsburg, Kan., where he studied heating, air conditioning and refrigeration.
On Nov. 12, 1944, he married Kathryn Huhn in Blackwell. In 1948, he began his own business, Cassidy Refrigeration Service, and worked on many commercial refrigeration, heating and cooling contracts. He installed heat and air systems for many new homes built in the area. He operated the business until his retirement in 1989.
He enjoyed traveling and toured Europe with his wife several times. In the 1970s and 1980s they traveled to Hawaii and Russia and made several trips to attend Air Force reunions. Since retiring, he has kept busy by tinkering in his workshop and yard. He also enjoyed spending time with his great-granddaughters.
He was a member of First Christian Church, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Blackwell. He was also a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a 32nd Degree Mason.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Cassidy of the home; son, Dr. Danny Cassidy and wife Judy of Ponca City; daughter, Marilyn Kay Simon of Blackwell; sister, Nelda Pemberton and husband Jack of Blackwell; grandchildren, Scott James Simon of Denton, Texas, Stacy Johnson and husband Kevin of Blackwell, Lisa Cassidy of Norman and Wendy Cassidy of Dallas, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Jacie, Kelsey and Tyler Brown of Blackwell and Chloe Johnson of Blackwell.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dorvan Cassidy.
Honorary casket bearers will be Mike Briggs, Bobby Epperly, Jack Pemberton, Donald Pemberton, Wayne Tremble Jr., Frank Tremble and Gene Henderson.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Christian Church Youth Building Fund, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631