Eulogy for Jack Cassingham

 

George Harper

September 2, 2021

Jack was a warrior, but as good a friend as you could ever imagine. He was a keen competitor, but would lend you a hand when he saw you needed it. He was in a hurry, but hospitable and kind.

 

We visited the Cassinghams once at their Sherrill’s Ford lake home. When we arrived, many people were already there, but Jack was watching for any new arrivals. He came out to our coach and gave us such a warm greeting. He was hospitable and a good host.

 

He must have been a keen competitor in the sky in his Marine fighter jet because he certainly was in his MG Midget on the race track. On one of our RV trips together we drove into town together for something…Irene and I in our two seat Ford pickup in the lead, and Jack and Mary Lou in their tiny Smart Car that they towed behind their Country Coach. As a pilot, Jack was always aware of weight, so I knew that was why he bought the smallest thing he could find to tow. On our trip into town, I glanced in the mirror as I turned out of the campground and saw Jack right on my bumper as if he were trying to catch a draft. I felt like I had a little hornet on my tail…Jack was a competitor.

 

I also noticed that Jack was pretty obsessive with any data anomaly coming out of the data center in his coach. He wanted it explained and the cause remedied. I could see the pilot in him wanting his craft to be in safe working order.

 

The Harpers and Cassinghams shared a love of bicycling and we always biked as we traveled around the country. Jack knew I had back problems, and when I would go to load my bike on the rack, Jack was always aware and would insist that he do it. He worked out regularly and was strong. You couldn’t have a better friend than Jack Cassingham.

 

Many times on our bike and other outings with the Cassinghams, I saw Jack and Mary Lou teasing and playing with each other like teenagers. That told the story of their strong and enduring love for each other. Jacks’s life was full. He was a good captain to his many air passengers, a good husband, a good father, and a good friend.

 

Goodby, Jack, my friend. Fair skies and tailwinds always.

 

SAN ANTONIO

TRAVELERS WORLD RV RESORT

Arrive Sunday, Oct 10 - Depart Saturday Oct 16

 $90 PER PERSON INCLUDES :

MONDAY 9:00 TECH TALK/ CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST. 1:00 RIVER CRUISE

                  TUESDAY CITY BUS TOUR 9:30

    WEDNESDAY SKYMED PRESENTATION 9:30 WITH CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

 FREE DAY WITH HOP-ON-HOP-OFF BUS PASS

  THURSDAY BREAKFAST & CLUB MEETING AT HISTORIC GUENTHER HOUSE

 GROUP TOUR OF THE SPANISH MISSIONS & PARK VIDEO 

FRIDAY FREE DAY

MORE ACTIVITIES ON YOUR OWN:                                                                                         

Traveler’s World is situated just 4 miles south from the heart of the Riverwalk         

amongst the historic Spanish Missions, now part of a national park and free to 

explore. Walking or biking the quieter end of the Riverwalk, just steps outside RV 

park steps on miles of trails. Bike rentals available. Bikes Can be ridden to about a 

mile from the edge of downtown and the busy entertainment part of the Riverwalk.

Visit The Alamo, the heart of San Antonio 

and Texas just steps up from the Riverwalk. Dinner at Don Pedros with our 

group. Visit The Pearl, the famous Pearl Brewery now a huge hotel and 

restaurant complex on the river north of downtown. Stop in to see the Buckhorn 

Saloon. Explore the festive Mercado, the old Spanish market, & enjoy lunch or 

dinner there at Mi Tierra. Stop by the Blue Star brewery. Explore the famous King William Historic District, a beautiful wooded neighborhood of large Victorian homes along the river. Two Victorian homes available to tour.

RESERVE NOW 

TRAVELERS WORLD RV RESORT, 2617 ROOSEVELT AVE 78214, 844-726-2450

PAY FOR THE RALLY EVENTS NOW ON OUR SECC WEB SITE WITH YOUR

CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL AT OUR PAYPAL BUTTON BELOW

Number of rally participants

1 Attendee $90.00 USD 2 Attendees $180.00 USD 3 Attendees $270.00 USD 4 Attendees $360.00 USD

 

OCTOBER 2021  SAN ANTONIO RALLY

ARRIVE SUNDAY OCT  10,  DEPART  SATURDAY OCT  16

TRAVELER’S WORLD RV RESORT

Scheduled to follow Country Coach International rally at Buckhorn Lake Resort in Kerrville, TX.

Traveler’s World is located just south of downtown San Antonio, in the heart of the old Spanish Missions area, and connected directly to the famous Riverwalk, on the quieter end. 

 

Make your reservations now 210- 532-8310.  Make sure you tell them you are with the Southeast Country Coach rally.

Traveler’s World RV Resort

2617 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214 www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/southwest/texas/travelers-world

 

 

 

Rally events and prices to be posted soon.

    Rally hosts Janet & George Sanders

 

 

 

SOUTHEAST COUNTRY COACHERS SPRING RALLY

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

The Southeasters were ready for some fun. Even before the rally started the men gathered together, as usual, to work on various coach tasks. 

L to R : Max Hegler, Pete Hays, Buddy Bordes, Scott Loftfield seated, Marty Ott in back, George Sanders working on the Hydro Hot.

Our campground was the newly opened Hawkins Pointe RV Park just across the Tennessee state line in Rossville Georgia, convenient to Interstate 75 and the many things to do in Chattanooga. Owners John and Karen Hawkins are past members of SECC so we were excited to see their new venture. Our rally meeting “room” was their large RV storage barn and attached patio which worked very well for cool mornings and evenings when we enjoyed cocktail hour and catered meals.

 

Chattanooga was once known as one of the dirtiest, most polluted cities in the country. It is now a beautiful, healthy tourist destination with dozens of places to explore. Our first morning included an open-air van tour so everyone could get a good overview of the many sites they would want to return to see on their own. 

Many of our group now have Ebikes and enjoyed having a free day to ride part of the beautiful 16 mile Riverwalk along the Tennessee river.

 

L to R: guest Susan Johnsey, George Sanders, Myron Whitley, Kent McCoin, Marty & LouLou Ott in back, Dale McCoin, Dorcas Whitley. The ultra- modern Tennessee Aquarium is in the background, the highlight of the active waterfront that began its transformation of the city in the early 90’s.                                                                                                          

We enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Southern Belle, an old paddlewheel. It was a warm spring evening to be outside watching the city go by.

 

Right: Our group, posing at  the Southern Belle

Left, Myron Whitley, George Sanders & Buddy Bordes on the bow.

Our campground host John Hawkins is VP of Manufacturing of nearby Miller Industries. Miller Industries is the international manufacturer of those gigantic tow trucks that haul 18 wheelers, and the only ones that can safely and properly tow our Country Coaches. John and an associate took us on a very special private tour of the plant. Many of the vehicles we saw were customized to order. It was an amazing tour for everyone. 

   

http://southeastcountrycoachers.blogspot.com/

We are looking forward to our next rally in October at Traveler’s World RV Park, San Antonio, directly after the CCI Rally at Kerrville.

 

CHATTANOOGA RALLY
ARRIVAL SUNDAY APR 18, DEPART SATURDAY APR 24

Hawkins Pointe RV Park, Rossville GA

Rally activity fee per person $110 paid through SECC web site.

Camping fee $50 per night paid directly to RV Park

 

THE CITY
Come explore Chattanooga Tennessee with us.  As with many Southern cities, Chattanooga has gone through a Renaissance to become an exciting destination with dozens of things to do. Frequently  listed nationally as a great vacation destination.

This is a beautiful city situated on both sides of the wide Tennessee River with a pedestrian bridge allowing easy access between the busy modern downtown and the quirky artsy North Shore.

Visitors have traveled to Chattanooga for more than a century to visit famous Rock City and Ruby Falls atop Lookout Mountain, and the nearby Chickamauga Battlefield. 

 

Now they also come to its famous aquarium, the highly respected Hunter Museum of American Art in the Bluff View Arts district and the wonderful Tennessee River Park, a 13 mile walking/biking path along the river bank that stretches from the old steel mills, past river-view eateries, on up to the dam. The blue pedestrian bridge links it all to the North Shore village and parks.

Your rally fee will cover a dinner cruise on the Tennessee River, trolley tour, tour of the big-rig tow truck manufacturing plant, 2 breakfasts and Friday dinner.

 

THE RV PARK

Hawkins Pointe is a brand new RV park catering to high end, self-contained coaches, owned by a former SECC members John and Karen Hawkins. We will be their first rally. Their web site is a work in progress and please understand that it is still winter there. It will be continuously updated as Spring and landscaping arrives. Apple Maps has been slow to get them listed, but yes, they are there. The old Holiday campground known for flooding is across the road. Hawkin’s very large bus barn will be our rally meeting area with kitchen and BBQ, fire pit. John is very meticulous in everything he does so it will be exciting to see the results.   We have been told that their internet is one of the best around.

John is VP of Manufacturing at Miller Industries, manufacturers of the huge tow trucks that haul 18 wheelers and coaches like our CCs. We will have a special tour of the factory.

We have a great rate of $50. Reserve your site now. Remember to tell them you are part of the rally.

182 Emerson Cir, Rossville, GA 30741

(706) 820-6757

hawkinspointe.com

 

 

SCHEDULE

Monday catered breakfast , trolley tour 

Tuesday Southern Belle Dinner Cruise

Thursday catered breakfast , tour Miller Industries’ tow truck factory

Friday catered dinner

* If you have special dietary requirements please let Jan know at sandersjanetl@aol.com

 

THINGS TO DO ON YOUR OWN

Tennessee Aquarium

International Towing & Recovery Museum.  Our tour will cover the factory, but not the museum

Hunter Museum of American Art with spectacular views of the river below.

Tennessee Riverpark 13 miles along the river. Flat, smooth riding with rest    stops every mile. Rental bikes available.

Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Chickamauga Battlefield & Chattanooga National Military Park.

Explore the parks and village atmosphere of the North Shore

Visit the trendy eateries and bars of Southside

Enjoy a meal at a riverside restaurant.

Please register and pay for your rally using PayPal via the following PayPal button.

Select the number of rally participants from the dropdown menu.

One $110.00 USD Two $220.00 USD Three $330.00 USD Four $440.00 USD

.,f