Obituary

Charles Michael "Mike" Cassidy

November 11, 1941 - April 24, 2022

Charles Michael "Mike" Cassidy, age 80 and a resident of Mount Hermon, passed away Sunday evening April 24, 2022 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He was born in Bogalusa on November 11, 1941 and later graduated from the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA in 1959. Mike later received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi in 1963. He then proudly served his country in the United States Army 1/9th Cavalry Division from 1963 until 1968. Mike was stationed in the Korean DMZ as well as areas of Vietnam during his deployment. He then graduated from the LSU Law School in 1971. Mike returned to Washington Parish in 1972 and began his law practice alongside the late France W. “Budge” Watts. In 1976, he began a long career with 1st State Bank & Trust as lead counsel and later serving as bank President. Over the years, Mike was an active member of several groups and organizations including the American Bar Association, Louisiana Bar Association, Washington Parish Bar Association, Washington Parish Cattleman’s Association, Franklinton Lion’s Club, American Legion Post 24, Louisiana Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Foundation, Washington Parish Fair Association, Mile Branch Settlement Committee and Louisiana Banker’s Association.

Mike loved spending time on his farm taking care of his cows and working in his barns. He enjoyed working on his tractors and riding in his old Jeeps. He loved watching Ole Miss Football and spending time with his family and beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mike was a strong man, a drinking Irishman full of blarney, as he would say. Above all, he was a proud, stand-tall Army veteran. Through the help of social media, one thing that brought him great joy was, after 30 years, being able to locate and visit with other veterans of his era.

Survived by: Wife of 48 years: Bette Killingsworth Cassidy of Mt. Hermon; Children and Spouses: Chip and Loretta Cassidy of Mt. Hermon, Mark Cassidy of Tullahoma, TN, Tyfanni Cassidy of Mt. Hermon, Stephanni Cassidy of Slidell, Kama and Coty Jones of Montevallo, AL, Kelli Sanburn of Franklinton, Meghann and Justin Brown of Mt. Hermon, Whitney and Max Bahm of Franklinton; Grandchildren: Adria, Collin, Josh, Savanna, Shawnna, Peyton, Kai, Seamus, Amber, Alex, Annsley, Allyson, Emma, Adam, Zoe, Tanner, Camden, Brody, Addison, Drew, Keaton, Fielder, Vaida, Raina; Great-grandchildren: Ella, Mayzee, Everlee, Annabelle, Abigail Brooke, Tatum, Jayden, Marianna, Hayden, Adelyn, Amalie, Judah, Alec, Ezra, Leo; Sister in law and Brother in law: Laurie and Brent Duncan; Also numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Joseph Cassidy and Evelyn Dick Cassidy, 3 young grandchildren, sister and brother in law Carol and Nathan Bush and other family members.

Visitation will be Saturday April 30th at Pleasant Hill Cemetery beginning at 12:00 pm. A graveside funeral service will be held in the cemetery at 1:00 pm Saturday with Rev. Percy Frazier and Dr. Joe Baugh officiating and a eulogy by friend Richard Watts. Immediately following the funeral services, a reception to celebrate Mike’s life will be held at his daughter’s home located near the cemetery at 36213 Hwy. 1056, Mt. Hermon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to help with the establishment of the new Our Veterans Memorial Park here in Washington Parish. Donations can be made through their website at (www.ourvetspark.org) or the mailing address with checks payable to (Our Veterans Memorial Park (OVMP), P.O. Box 326, Franklinton, LA 70438).

Honorary Pallbearers are Nunsey Williams, Wayne Riley, Dewayne Bennett, Gary Phelps, Darren Schilling, Perry Tillman, Mike Dill, Wayne Loner