Ellis Harris Casson was born in New York City, New York on September 23, 1931. His mother, Madelyn Casson, raised him along with his siblings, Robert and Constance, in Harlem. In the 1940’s, the family made their way west, landing in Vanport, Oregon, where Mrs. Casson worked in the shipyards. As a student, a young Casson was drawn to music as a member of school choirs. In 1949, Elder Casson graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon.
Although Pentecostal herself, his mother allowed her children to join Bethel A.M.E. Church, where Casson found solace and community in their youth programs. He participated in the church youth choir, developing his self-trained voice to praise the Lord any chance he could get.
As a teenager, he worked as an elevator operator in the Roosevelt Hotel in downtown Portland, where he met the likes of Sammy Davis, Jr. and Tony Bennett. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force serving in the Korean War. Upon his return, he answered the call to ministry and was ordained in 1953.
As a young pastor, Elder Casson was instinctively drawn to participation in the Civil Rights Movement. His ministry was always based on Christ in inspiring the best instincts in all of us to serve those amongst us in the greatest need. Because of this energy he was noticed by NAACP Executive Director Roy Wilkins and Mississippi Regional Director Medgar Evers, who named him as the first Western Regional Director of the NAACP at the most crucial time of struggle in the battle of human rights. While balancing the work of the church and community, Elder Casson met and married Betty Stafford of Tacoma. They married in 1955. Together they had four children moving from Seattle, Washington to churches in Montana, Northern and Southern California.
Elder Casson returned to the Pacific Northwest to attend Seattle Pacific College, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He also earned a certificate from Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and received two honorary doctoral degrees.
Elder Casson’s career path took him through Model Cities of Portland, Portland Public Schools, the U.S. Office of Civil Rights and most notably, the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. He served as an ordained minister in the A.M.E. church for 48 active years, and continuously answered the roll call at every annual conference for over 65 years. He officially retired as the Presiding Elder of the Pacific Northwest Conference in 2001.
Along with his love of the church, his greatest passion was his family; with whom he shared his love of Broadway musicals, Johnny Mathis, old westerns, politics and his skills at putting together a dapper outfit. He totally enjoyed family vacations to Jamaica, Hawaii, Barbados, Victoria B.C, and Washington D.C. and created countless memories with his family during the holidays. Although his grandchildren were spread across the country, he never missed a graduation and was truly proud of watching them become young adults. How special it was to watch him talk to his great grandchildren in person and on Zoom.
Elder Casson’s family used these words to describe him as the patriarch of their family: extraordinary, unique, honorable, fearless, loyal, excellent never leaving out his great sense of humor. His congregations and family will remember and smile when they hear “Whatever”, “I know, what I know, what I know… or “And through it all… not forgetting “Let the church say Amen”.
He will forever be mourned by his children Elizabeth Casson-Taylor (James); Wendell Casson, Nancy Jones and Helen Casson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jillian Stone (Sadiki), Elyse Taylor Liburd (Sean), Cameron Jones, and Austin Jones; and great-grandchildren, Taiden, Jaymes, Micah, Jordan, Jackson and Nia. His extended family, which include a niece and nephews, Christopher Casson Sr., Christopher Casson Jr., Norma Gaines (Stan), Anthony Atherton III. and Alijah Atherton. He is proceeded in death by his mother, Madelyn Casson Stroud, and his siblings Robert Casson and Constance Mae Casson.
Today we will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant. In which case me will eat a cookie.
~Cookie Monster
~Elder Ellis H. Casson
