Norman Howard Casson, 90, of Jacksonville passed away May 4, 2022. He was born September 8, 1931 in Dover, Delaware to the late Nancy Jane (Ingram) and Clarence Roosevelt Casson Sr. In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by his wife, Ida Belle Casson; sister, Phyllis Beatrice Casson Thompson; brothers, Clarence Roosevelt Casson Jr., Floyd Sterling Casson Sr.; brother-in-law, Rev. Archie Hamilton; grandparents, William John Casson Jr. and Clara Rena Ducket Casson; great-grandparents, William John Casson Sr., and Luella Carney Casson; and great-great uncle, Sgt. William H. Carney.

Although a classically trained pianist and big-band conductor, Norman enjoyed a highly successful six-decade career in aerospace engineering, which began during the Korean War as a Cold War draftee, with service in the Air Force. After ten years of active military service, Casson left active duty Air Force due to a major injury which prevented him from flying. He has often been recognized for his service as a Launch Test Conductor for the Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, and later, the Titan II, but he is best known for his significant contributions to the success of the nation's lunar landing program, the Apollo Project. The Apollo Spacecraft Checkout Group, headed by Norman, did their part to not only meet but beat the goals put forth by President John F. Kennedy, when he challenged our country to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. During his long career, Norman received many awards, citations, plaques, special honors, and letters of appreciation for his accomplishments. He will forever be memorialized for his achievements in the Norman Casson Exhibit in the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Those left to cherish their memories of Norman include his children, Gwendolyn Tabitha (Herbert J. Sr.) Harper and Carlos Norman Casson; grandchildren, Yvette (Lola Bailey) Herndon, Herbert James Harper II, Jeffrey Yefsky, and Sean Yefsky; great-grandchildren, Antoinette Balentine, Najé Harper, India Harper, Joseph Yefsky, Andrew Yefsky, Breonna Bailey, Breon Bailey, and Kyona Bailey; granddaughters-in-law, Tinthy Pounds Harper and Lori Yefsky; great-great granddaughter, Cyanna Burrell; brothers, Lloyd Stewart and Paul Charles Casson.

Graveside service with military honors will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, (501) 982-2136.

You can learn more about Norman by clicking here, or watching the video below: