Friday, November 6, 2026
Charles Monroe Cason III, born July 24, 1933, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away quietly and peacefully on August 31, 2025, in the Haven Hospice center in Orange Park, Florida, Jacksonville area.
Charles was preceded in death by his father, Charles Monroe Cason II, his Mother Cleo Stargell; his first wife and mother of his three daughters, Mary Nell Knight. Also, by one stepdaughter, Laura Head (M. Mike).
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pauline Posey; three daughters: Tara Nannette Cason Cooper (M. Thomas); Wendy Cason; Lea Valarie Cason-Kilgallon (M. Michael); three stepchildren: Phyllis McConn (M. Rick); Leslie McKay; James Cavender (M. Terri); a foster son Ernesto Kawamoto (M. Mary). He is survived by five grandchildren: Tiffany Nicole Cooper, CPT Cason Robert Kilgallon, Dillon James Kilgallon, Vance M. Johnson, and Alana Shaye Raggo (M.David).
He is survived by three step-grandchildren: Meredith Fortuna (M. David), Catherine Godek (M. Tucker) and Ryley McConn (M. Moriah).Two foster grandchildren – John and Paul Kawamoto.
He is survived by two great-grandchildren, John David JobRaggo and Annabelle Grace Raggo. And by three step-grandsons, Wylie and Grisham Fortuna and Everett Godek. He is also survived by many friends and associates.
Charles attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He completed a Bachelor's (1954) and Master's(1958) Degrees in Physics.
Mr. Cason had a long and fruitful career with the Department of the Army as a civilian scientist. He began as an intern in the US Army Missile Command during the summers between his college sessions. He culminated his public service career as a GM-15 manager in USASDC. Through his work he became an internationally known scientist. He published31 scientific articles in refereed scientific journals. He successfully filed 23 patents as a result of his scientific research. He was nominated by the US Army Missile Command Patent Office for the government’s highest civilian award because he had more patents approved for original contributions to his field than any Missile Command scientist before him. He reported scientific discoveries and breakthroughs to professional conferences across the US and abroad. He was a member of the International Laser Association and presented papers in their sponsored conferences at various locations across Europe over a period of ten years. After retiring from civilian service, he worked a number of years for a defense contractor. Across his career and into retirement he mentored young potential scientists; interns in his career field - then encouraged young men outside his work environment for career, spiritual and life navigation skills.
Charles served two years in the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base during the Korean War.
Mr. Cason gave his life to Christ at about age twelve. He worked and worshipped with several denominations and ended his search for a spiritual home at St Stephens in Huntsville, Alabama, where he reared his daughters. He was a member of St Mark’s Episcopal Church on Marco Island, Florida, for fifteen or more years. He was currently a member of St Paul’s by the Sea, Episcopal church in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Charles lived his faith. His impact through his family, his spiritual life and his career accomplishments will reverberate across the generations for many years to come.
Arrangements are at Laughlin Funeral Home in Huntsville, Alabama, September 13, 2025. Viewing from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Memorial service at 1:00 PM on site, with interment afterwards at Maple Hill Cemetery. Donations to Haven Hospice in Orange Park, Florida, are requested in lieu of flowers.
September 11, 2025 Coastal Breeze News
