Jack Cassady, founder of Mid-South Cartoonist Association, dies at 86

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Local comic strip artist, teacher, and founder of the Mid-South Cartoonist Association, Jack Cassady, has died.

Jack Cassady was noted for his kindness, commitment to creating comics, and educating artists. He taught courses part-time at the University of Memphis, encouraging a generation of local artists.

He was born on April 26, 1940, and passed away on November 3. He was 86 years old. He was the founding member of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association in Memphis, Tenn.

“Back on March 28, 1987, his poster brought together many cartoonists at Steak and Ale on Summer Avenue. It’s thanks to Jack that we are inspired to promote cartoon as art even today,” said Kevin Williams. “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 started a cartoonists group in every city where he lived”

Cassady’s other memberships included the National Cartoonists Society and the Southeastern chapter of the NCS. He specialized in gag cartoons that appeared in publications worldwide.

He was featured in a public TV series, Funny Business - the Art of Cartooning.

Cassady was also a Vietnam War veteran. He served 22 years in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam. He retired as a Lt. Colonel and as a decorated Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces officer. The MSCA said that he completed over 1,000 skydives and climbed mountains on three continents.

“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,” Greg Cravens said.

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